Two OU transfers say Brent Venables' no-nonsense approach sealed their 2024 commitment

Two headliners for the Oklahoma football season out of the newfound recruiting pipeline known as the transfer portal are center Branson Hickman and defensive tackle Damonic Williams,

Both are from south of the Red River in the Lone Star State and from cross-city rivals in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. Something else they will have in common when the 2024 college football season kicks off less than a month from now is the immediate impact they are expected to play for the Sooners on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Both Hickman and Williams have experienced what the environment is like at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, having been on the visiting sidelines last season, but now they will get the full experience of Oklahoma football while also filling important needs on the Sooner offensive and defensive lines, respectivey.

Hickman wasn't thinking about becoming an Oklahoma Sooner when his SMU Mustangs played at OU last September. But he visited Oklahoma this past spring and was in attendance at the annual Red-White spring game. Shortly thereafter he announced his transfer commitment to come 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.

The 6-foot, 4-inch 294-pound offensive lineman received All-AAC second-team honors last season, and this past week he was named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Outland Trophy, which recognizes the best interior offensive lineman in college football every season. Hickman will probably also be named to the Rimington Trophy candidate list, which honor the best center in the college game.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was another major reason for Hickman electing to play at Oklahoma for what will be 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 fill a key spot in the middle of the Sooner O-line, which lost all five starters from last season, including three-year starting center Andrew Raym, who is now playing in the professional ranks. Another benefit of coming to Oklahoma is the opportunity to sharpen his skills, Hickman said, going against Brent Venables' defense in practice.

Like his new teammate Hickman, Williams recognized the toughness and all-business approach by Venables and his position coaches in running practices, player development, fostering the culture and the program's vision for the future.

Williams has 27 career starts under his belt and was rated the highest rated defensive lineman in the transfer portal by several media sources. He chose Oklahoma over Texas and LSU, two teams he will get to play against this season as part of the Sooners' 2024 conference schedule.

A California native, the 6-foot, 1-inch, 319-pound defensive lineman will have two years of eligibility remaining if he elects 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 teammate. "He came in right away and earned the respect in the group. You kind of look at him, you see a natural leader."

"He's going to bring toughness to our defensive line, especially in stopping the run," added safety Billy Bowman.

Williams minced no words about how much he respected the way Venables went about his jobs as the Sooners' head ball coach. "I feel like out of all the coaches I met (in considering transfer options), BV, he's most definitely the best one because he's just such a hands-on coach.

"He's getting in practice (and not just watching practice). He's chewing people out if they're doing the wrong thing. It's something that I love about this place."