NCAA Denies Extra Year for Oklahoma Linebacker Owen Heinecke, Appeal in the Works
Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke won’t be returning to Norman in 2026-at least not as a player. The NCAA has denied his petition for an additional year of eligibility, according to Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy, who shared the news Thursday night on X.
While the decision doesn’t come as a total surprise, it still stings for both the Sooners and a fanbase that watched Heinecke blossom into a key contributor during Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff run. The NCAA is counting three lacrosse games Heinecke played at Ohio State in 2021 against his eligibility clock, effectively closing the door on a potential fourth season of college football.
Heinecke’s story isn’t the typical one. A former walk-on, he carved out a major role in Brent Venables’ defense this past season, racking up 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. He didn’t just fill a spot-he became a difference-maker, the kind of player who shows up in big moments and sets the tone for a defense.
Nagy was vocal in his frustration with the ruling, pointing out the inconsistency in how eligibility extensions are handled across college football. “When other players are being granted 7th and 8th years of football,” Nagy wrote, “CFB governing body has ruled Owen won’t get a 4th year.” He called out the NCAA’s decision to count those three lacrosse games against Heinecke, despite the fact that they came in a different sport and at a different school.
The Sooners plan to appeal the decision, and while the odds may be long, there’s still a glimmer of hope. If the appeal fails, though, Heinecke’s next stop could be the NFL-and Nagy believes that’s not just a possibility, but an opportunity for a franchise to land a high-character, high-motor linebacker with upside.
And make no mistake: Heinecke has shown he can play at the next level. His instincts, work ethic, and physicality stood out all year, and his tape from 2025 will give scouts plenty to chew on. He’s the type of player who may not have had the five-star pedigree coming in, but earned every snap, every tackle, and every bit of respect he’s garnered.
For Oklahoma, losing Heinecke is a blow to their linebacker depth heading into 2026. He was poised to be a veteran presence in a room that’s still developing. But more than that, he represented the kind of player every coach wants in the locker room-tough, selfless, and all-in on the team.
Now, the Sooners will wait on the appeal. And if it doesn’t go their way, the NFL will be waiting, too.