Central Tigers senior football player Braxton Prewett always has had the desire to take his talent to the next level. On Thursday morning, he turned that dream into a reality.
Prewett signed a letter of intent with the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers in a signing ceremony Thursday morning at the Central Gym.
“It’s always been like a really big dream of mine to play college football,” Prewett said. “It really makes me happy that I’m going to the next level.”
“Braxton came to us his senior year,” Central coach Jeremy Thompson said. “He was a great addition to our school, our community and our football program. His efforts on the field were always outstanding. We talk about our attitude and our effort. The leadership and example he set for us and what he did I’m extremely proud of. I’m so excited for him and the opportunity he’s got at the next level.”
One of the things that helped Prewett, who was named the 2025 All-District AII-3 Team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year, make the choice to go to Alva’s NCAA Division II fouryear school ironically came about from his special opportunity he got in January.
In January, Prewett and teammate Mekko Ariza were selected to play in the 2026 Native American All-Star Football Game, which was played at U.S. Bank Stadium — the home of the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings.
It was while Prewett was there that he was contacted by a coach/ scout of a Minnesota school. Thus, began the competition for seeking Prewett for his services. He said that ended up making the choice to go to NWOSU an easy one.
“The other choice was in Minnesota,” Prewett said. “It was very far, and it would have been really cold. With Alva not being too far, and being closer to home, it was a better choice.”
Prewett said that the opportunity to play in the this year’s Native American All-Star Game was extremely important in helping him prepare to be a college football player — and not just making there be two schools to choose, and subsequently making the Rangers the choice.
“It helped tremendously being able to having my name getting out there and with that college being another competition for another college to be looked at,” Prewett said.
“That was a special deal that they got to experience,” Thompson said. “Again, to represent Central, there couldn’t have been two better kids to do that. They were so deserving of that honor and opportunity they got. They won’t forget that. It was very special, and both boys are proud they got to go.”
Thompson also echoed the importance of Prewett getting to play in that game to get him ready for what he’ll be experiencing with NWOSU.
“He is one of those kids who comes ready to work every day,” Thompson said. “He doesn’t take any days off. He’s fixing to step into the world of college football where there are no days off. I feel that he is going to be very successful at the next level.”
Prewett isn’t certain just how much playing time he will get, at least right now.
“Currently, I don’t know about anything along those lines, but I just got to go work hard and show up,” Prewett said.
All the Central senior knows is that he is going to have a chance to fulfill his dream.
“It’s always been a huge thing for me,” Prewett said. “Finally knowing that it’s possible and going to happen, it seems unreal. I’m obviously looking forward to it.”
Thompson wishes he could have Prewett for more than this one past season he had him, but he knows Prewett will be just as successful with the Rangers as he was during the 2025 season for the Tigers.
“You have to let them go,” Thompson said. “I can’t keep them forever, but I wish I could. He’s definitely a special one. I’m so glad he came over to us this year. He was just an amazing addition to our school, our community and our athletic program. I’m proud of him.”
