<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0HTBhi_0vDSVf3V00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0HTBhi_0vDSVf3V00" width="1200" height="628" >Roster turnover in college football has become commonplace. But a large amount of change at the most important positions on the field will always command attention.Enter Oklahoma's offensive line. The Sooners are essentially set to roll out a brand new front five along the line of scrimmage. Some risers in the program, others transfer portal additions, what this combination might look like has become a primary storyline.Part of the equation, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/branson-hickman-46081848/">Branson Hickman</a>. One of OU's newest offensive front liners prepares, like many others, to debut as a Sooner come Friday night."Branson is one of 13 guys on our roster, between the offense and defense plus the kicking game, that are making their first time starts this week for us here, in this stadium," Oklahoma head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Brent-Venables-168">Brent Venables</a> said.Hickman spent the first four years of his career at <a href="https://247sports.com/college/smu/">SMU</a>, where he redshirted as a true freshman in 2020 before starting 33 games at center over the last three seasons, including all 26 games the last two seasons combined. He holds a total of 2,436 career snaps at center to his name and figures to be one of the foundational pieces of this new-look offensive line."I'm really excited about Branson," Venables said. "The game is slow for him. He's very technically sound."It doesn't matter if you're a transfer or a freshman, any newcomer ready for the moment will get an opportunity at Oklahoma. A unique comparison to make, but Venables sees similarities to another first-year Sooner."Branson is kind of like Jayden Jackson, in a way," Venables said. "Because Jayden had this technical and fundamental strength to him, it's allowed him to really transition quickly. For both of them, the only real barrier was the 'language' barrier."There wasn't going to be much 'new' that Hickman could learn at <a href="https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma/">Oklahoma</a> from a positional standpoint. He was rated as the No. 12 interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal this offseason by 247Sports, and Pro Football Focus had him tabbed as the second-highest graded center in the country last year with a 79.7 overall grade. The priority has always been getting a projected starter at a key position up to speed in a new offense. Hickman will be tasked with leading the way in the middle of an offensive line full of fresh faces, but many believe he's up to the task."Branson is a bright guy," Venables said. "He's put the time in. The staff has done a nice job of helping him, his teammates have done a nice job of helping him."As Hickman takes the field Friday night in the season opener, Oklahoma is prepared to lean on him. A hard worker, smart player and talented individual, don't be surprised to see the Sooners' newest center cement himself as a reliable presence."Branson is a guy that has put the work in," Venables said. "Worked to put himself in this position. Fundamentally, which he really excels at, and again, not being overwhelmed by everything that you might see on any given line of scrimmage in college football."</div></body>

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Oklahoma confident in new starting center Branson Hickman: 'He's a guy that's put the work in'

Roster turnover in college football has become commonplace. But a large amount of change at the most important positions on the field will always command attention. Enter Oklahoma's offensive line. The Sooners are essentially set to roll out a brand new front five along the line of scrimmage. Some risers in the program, others transfer portal additions, what this combination might look like has become a primary storyline.

Oklahoma confident in new starting center Branson Hickman: 'He's a guy that's put the work in'

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