Jackson Arnold helped get center Branson Hickman to Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners were in need of offensive line help in the post-spring transfer portal window. Specifically, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh needed to land a center to anchor thew middle of the unit.

OU got the job done, earning a commitment from SMU transfer center Branson Hickman, but it turns out Bedenbaugh had a little help from Oklahoma’s starting quarterback.

Hickman spoke to the Oklahoma media after fall camp practice on Thursday, covering a wide variety of topics in his first media availability. OUInsider captured Hickman’s interview. Among them were some of the reasons that he decided to become a Sooner, and as it turns out, sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold was part of making that decision easier.

“Obviously, growing up in the Dallas area, I knew who Jackson was coming out of high school. I knew he was a great player and a great person,” Hickman said. “I hung out with him on my official visit, and he’s one of the reasons why I came here too, honestly. You want to play with a good quarterback to have a chance to win.”

Hickman is just the latest of many to praise Oklahoma’s new QB1, but he also had high praise for his new position coach, giving Bedenbaugh his flowers.

“Yeah, Coach B is one of the main reasons why I came here,” Hickman said. “Obviously has a proven track record. He puts guys in the NFL and he also has guys succeed in college, so I mean, it’s like, why would you not come play for Coach B?”

Hickman looks like the starter at the center position going into the year. He also made the Outland Trophy watch list earlier this week. The award is given to the top interior lineman in college football. He’ll anchor the much-discussed offensive line that features fellow incoming transfers Michael Tarquin, Spencer Brown, Febechi Nwaiwu and Geirean Hatchett and homegrown players like Heath Ozaeta, Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton.

Bedenbaugh and head coach Brent Venables have worked hard to retool the offensive line, having to replace all five starters this offseason to get ready for the journey into the SEC. Turns out, Jackson Arnold was doing a little recruiting of his own this spring as well.