Center Branson Hickman and defensive tackle Damonic Williams are two standouts for the Oklahoma football season coming from the transfer portal, a new recruiting funnel.
Both are from south of the Red River in the Lone Star State, and they are cross-city rivals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Another thing they will have in common when the 2024 college football season begins in less than a month: they are expected to make an immediate impact for the Sooners on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Both Hickman and Williams have been on the visiting sidelines at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before, but now they will get the full Oklahoma football experience while also filling important needs on the Sooners’ offensive and defensive lines, respectively.
Hickman had no intention of becoming an Oklahoma Sooner when his SMU Mustangs played at OU last September. However, he did visit Oklahoma this spring and attended the annual Red-White spring game. Shortly after, he declared his transfer commitment to OU.
“I wanted to come to a school that was big and play in a big environment in the SEC, and OU is close to home,” Hickman told the Tulsa World.
Last season, the 6-foot, 4-inch, 294-pound offensive lineman earned All-AAC second-team accolades, and he was nominated to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Outland Trophy, which celebrates the finest interior offensive lineman in college football each season. Hickman will most likely be chosen to the Rimington Trophy candidate list, which recognizes the top center in college basketball.
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was another big reason Hickman chose to play at Oklahoma for his final collegiate season.
“He (Bedenbaugh) has a proven track record,” the SMU transfer said. “He puts guys in the NFL, and also has guys succeed in college. Why would you not want to play for Coach B?”
Hickman will cover a vital role in the middle of the Sooners’ offensive line, which lost all five starters from last season, including three-year starting center Andrew Raym, who is now playing professionally. Another advantage of coming to Oklahoma is the opportunity to hone his skills by practicing against Brent Venables’ defense, Hickman explained.
Williams, like his new colleague Hickman, recognized Venables and his position coaches’ toughness and all-business attitude to running practices, player development, culture building, and the program’s future goal.
Williams has 27 career starts and was named the highest-rated defensive lineman in the transfer portal by multiple media outlets. He selected Oklahoma over Texas and LSU, which he will face this season as part of the Sooners’ 2024 league schedule.
The 6-foot, 1-inch, 319-pound defensive lineman from California still has two years of eligibility if he chooses to use it.
“He’s gonna be a great player for us,” All-SEC preseason first-team selection Danny Stutsman told the Tulsa World recently when asked about his new colleague. “He stepped right in and earned the group’s respect. You kind of look at him and see a natural leader.”
“He’s going to bring toughness to our defensive line, especially in stopping the run,” safety Billy Bowman explained.
Williams did not mince words when it came to how much he admired Venables’ approach to his duties as Sooners head football coach. “I believe that BV is the greatest coach I’ve met (when researching transfer alternatives) because he’s so hands-on.
“He is participating in practice (rather than simply watching). He chews people out if they do something wrong. It’s something I enjoy about this place.”