Oklahoma center Branson Hickman makes Rimington Trophy preseason watch list

Branson Hickman may prove to be one of the best transfer portal additions for Brent Venables and his staff in 2024.

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] has made his second preseason award watch list for the 2024 season, all before playing a down for OU.

After Hickman made the Outland Trophy watch list last week, the transfer center was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list on Friday. The Rimington Trophy is given to the best center in college football. The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best interior lineman in the country, regardless of which side of the ball they play on.

Hickman was a big get the the portal’s post-spring window for head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]. The pair needed some major help at the center position as they rebuilt the offensive line, replacing all five primary starters from a year ago.

Hickman, formerly of SMU, has been the offensive lineman receiving the most national praise on OU’s roster since coming to Norman, and is likely in the driver’s seat to start at center. The offensive line has been a topic of conversation all offseason long as Oklahoma joins the [autotag]SEC[/autotag], and Hickman will be tasked with helping to protect quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and open up running lanes for [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] and the rest of the running back room.

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