OU football's LB depth faces challenge without Owen Heinecke. Here's how

NORMAN — With Owen Heinecke’s appeal for another year of eligibility denied by the NCAA, Oklahoma football’s linebacker depth appears to have taken a serious hit.

Heinecke’s petition for an extra year of eligibility was always a longshot. The NCAA is counting three games of lacrosse at Ohio State in 2021 against the Sooners’ linebacker, who broke out during their run to the College Football Playoff this past season, totaling 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

While OU general manager Jim Nagy took to the radio to say the program isn’t giving up on Heinecke having another year, it’s still unclear if he will take legal action. Heinecke also participated in the NFL Scouting Combine this past weekend, signaling he appears focused on playing professional football from here on out. 

Which means, heading into spring practices this month, the Sooners will be forced to rely on veteran returner Kip Lewis, Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan and a plethora of inexperienced, young talent at linebacker next season. OU lost a ton of production from this past season as Heinecke (as of now) and Kendal Daniels are out of eligibility, veteran Kobie McKinzie transferred to Northwestern and the talented Sammy Omosigho transferred to UCLA.

Lewis, the lone returning starter, started every game at weakside linebacker in 2025, leading OU with 76 total tackles. He also collected 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Re-signing Lewis was a massive priority for Nagy and Co.

But after Lewis, who will the Sooners rely on to help anchor their defense in 2026? 

Besides Lewis, OU returns only three players who have played a snap at linebacker — Taylor Heim, Marcus James and James Nesta. OU also signed incoming freshmen Dane Bathurst, Jacob Curry, Beau Jandreau and Kristan Moore. Curry has turned heads during winter workouts and has the potential to play right away.

More: OU football adds LB Cooper Witten, son of Jason Witten, to 2027 recruiting class

However, the Sooners did land one of the top linebackers in the transfer portal, Cole Sullivan, after coach Brent Venables flew to Pittsburgh for an in-home visit to convince him to leave Michigan. Sullivan appeared in 23 games for the Wolverines the past two seasons and worked his way up from second string to starter by the end of last year. He tallied 44 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2025.

Seeing what Sullivan can do in a Venables-led defense should excite OU fans. But he’ll be learning a complex defense on the fly.

The fact of the matter is the Sooners are expecting huge jumps for the likes of Heim and Nesta.

Heim played in all 13 games primarily on special teams and in a reserve linebacker role last season. He showed flashes, totaling 12 tackles, including half a sack and a quarterback hurry. At 6-foot-6, 227 pounds, he brings unique length and athleticism and OU’s staff is high on Heim’s development after he’s spent three seasons in the program. But is he ready to fill Daniels’ shoes at Venables’ hybrid “cheetah” position and at inside linebacker? 

The Sooners’ staff is also high on Nesta, who appeared in all 13 games on special teams and as a reserve linebacker. He totaled four tackles, including one for loss in 2025.

There is a big void to fill from last season’s group — one of the deepest defensive units Venables has ever had. 

If Heinecke is indeed finished with college ball, OU will be forced to replace its second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-leading snap count leaders at linebacker from 2025 heading into spring ball beginning March 25.

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football LB depth challenged in 2026 without Owen Heinecke