COMMIT: A superstar, a center for Oklahoma, leaves the transfer portal
Former SMU center Branson Hickman committed to the Oklahoma Sooners via the transfer portal.
The transfer portal has provided the Oklahoma Sooners with a valuable acquisition at a critical juncture. Prior to OU’s transition to the Southeastern Conference, former SMU offensive lineman Branson Hickman made public his decision to commit to the university and join the team.
Hickman was a member of the Mustangs for four seasons and appeared in two games in 2020. With the exception of one injury-related absence, he participated in nine games in 2021 and, after starting the season’s last seven, never relinquished the position. The last 33 games he participated in, 12 in 2022 and all 14 this season, he began. He was selected to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List this past season, and after the season, he was named to the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-State of Texas Second Team and the Second Team All-American Athletic Conference.
Hickman is rated at an overall 247Sports Network grade of 89, making him a strong three-star portal prospect. At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, he is ranked as the No. 11 interior offensive lineman available for trade and the No. 285 overall transfer player available this cycle. With one season left to his eligibility, Hickman decided to finish his career at OU rather than TCU or Arkansas.
Hickman participates in the college game in a number of behind-the-scenes capacities. Even though he is a little undersized for his position, Hickman has made a name for himself up front. Hickman, a standout center at SMU, is known for being a sharp player with a high football I.Q. and strong leadership abilities. His years of collegiate expertise are put to excellent use on the field, which is especially beneficial at the center position.
But when Hickman enrolls in OU’s program, all of this might have even greater of an impact. Given how much moving has already occurred, the center position has been talked more than any other position on the field for the Sooners. The starting quarterback from the previous campaign, Andrew Raym, is off to the NFL, and Troy Everett, who was expected to start, injured his right knee during practice only a month ago. Everett has previously undergone surgery.
Josh Bates stepped forward to fill the position because the other candidate is probably out until later in fall camp. A center like Geirean Hatchett could be useful, but he’s expected to play more guard ball at Oklahoma and is now sidelined due to injury. The Sooners could not have asked for a better addition than Hickman, given the lack of depth at center and the opportunity to hold an open competition for the position before the season.
Oklahoma has prioritized line of scrimmage play in preparation for its SEC transition. The Sooners will have a new offensive coordinator leading them into their debut season of conference play.
