Brent Venables, Oklahoma land commitment from SMU center Branson Hickman

Former SMU offensive lineman Branson Hickman has committed to Oklahoma, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Hickman spent four seasons with the Mustangs.

In the 2023 campaign, Hickman played and started in all 14 games for the team. For his efforts, he was named an All-AAC Second Team member and a DCTF All-Texas Second Team member. After redshirting his true freshman season with the team, Hickman saw action in 37 games with the program.

Led by Hickman, SMU’s front five only allowed 16 sacks this past season, tied for the 13th-least in the country. More specifically, SMU only gave up 1.14 sacks per game.

Branson Hickman played high school football at Jesuit (TX), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,911 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Hickman is the 14th player Oklahoma has added in the transfer portal during or since the 2023 campaign. He is joined by other standout offensive linemen such as Geirean Hatchett and Spencer Brown.

The group will be only build on Oklahoma’s stellar offensive line from this past season. The Sooners only allowed 20 sacks in the 2023 campaign, or 1.54 sacks per contest.

National championship talent for Oklahoma’s front five

Hatchett was a particularly excellent addition on Oklahoma’s offensive front. He spent four seasons with the Huskies, making 25 appearances. Hatchett played in 12 contests this past season, missing three games in the back half of the season due to injury. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman did not see any action in his first two years at Washington.

Nonetheless, this season, Hatchett was a pivotal piece to Washington’s front five, which won the Joe Moore Award this season, an honor annually presented to the best offensive line in college football.

Washington’s offensive line only allowed 12 sacks in 15 games this season, the fifth-least in the country. It isn’t a coincidence the Huskies averaged the second-most passing yards in the nation this year.

Geirean Hatchett played high school football at Ferndale (WA), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 197 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.