Sooners LB Owen Heinecke revealed his new plan now that he’s been denied by the NCAA to play an extra year of college football
The Sooners were hoping Heinecke could come back.
The Oklahoma Sooners were hoping to get another year of linebacker Owen Heinecke. He only played about 15 total minutes of lacrosse with the Ohio State Buckeyes one season before making the switch to football, but the NCAA denied his request for one extra year of eligibility, and he is using that season against him.
Earlier in the year, questions arose about Heinecke’s eligibility.
“I think I’m taking it kind of one step at a time,” Heinecke said. “That’s kind of a problem for later. I’m hoping that it doesn’t even get to that point. But it’s something that I would have to consider. There are always costs and all that, so it’s something I have to think about with my family and the timing of it all. It’s difficult because I don’t, it’s hard for me to bank on.”
On Wednesday, Heinecke took the podium at the 2026 NFL Draft Combine, where he was asked about his feelings since the denial the previous day. It’s safe to say he pretty much has the same thought process about it all. However, now he is focused on the draft in April.
Owen Heinecke talks about being denied by the NCAA
“I really only started this past year as the linebacker at Oklahoma,” Heinecke started to say at the Combine. “I wanted to keep all my options open, and one of those options was potentially going back for one more year and not using my one year at Ohio State for lacrosse. Just trying to keep my options open now. I’m really leaning on my family and the lord to see which direction is right for me. I’m upset it got denied, but excited for the next steps.”
The NCAA is granting kids their sixth, seventh, and sometimes even their eighth years of college football, whereas Heinecke was denied a fourth year.
The Sooners have replaced him about as well as they could have, bringing in former Michigan Wolverines linebacker Cole Sullivan. They also have a few linebackers coming in through the 2026 recruiting class in Beau Jandreau, Jacob Curry, and Kristan Moore. Don’t expect any of them to replace Heinecke immediately, but the Sooners do feel comfortable and confident in those guys being pivotal pieces to the football program.
Fortunately for Heinecke, he should get drafted. He had a solid 2025 season, finishing with 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Someone will get a steal in Heinecke.
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