NORMAN - Owen Heinecke is at a crossroads, balancing his NFL aspirations with the possibility of returning to Oklahoma for a sixth season. But during OU's Pro Day, his focus was crystal clear: the NFL is where he's heading.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 229 pounds, Heinecke is a linebacker with his sights set on the professional stage. "Right now, my mindset is I'm full steam ahead on the NFL, and that's the message that's been communicated to (NFL teams)," he confidently stated.
Heinecke was among 14 former Sooners showcasing their skills at the Everest Indoor Training Center, with scouts and personnel from all 32 NFL teams in attendance. While he participated in positional drills, Heinecke's only testing drill was the 20-yard shuttle, where he clocked an impressive 4.25 seconds. This time would have placed him third among linebackers at this year's NFL Combine.
For his other metrics, Heinecke is relying on his solid performance at the Combine in Indianapolis. There, he ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash, completed the three-cone drill in 7.15 seconds, and posted a vertical jump of 34.5 inches along with a broad jump of 9 feet, 11 inches.
Heinecke's Pro Day performance, coupled with his Combine results, showcases a player ready to make his mark. As he continues his journey, the NFL is clearly in his sights, and he's making sure every team knows it.