Owen Heinecke hoping to further his legacy with Oklahoma football after getting injunction against NCAA
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As Judge Thad Balkman pounded his gavel, Owen Heinecke knew he’d be playing for the Sooners one more season.
Balkman, a Cleveland County District Judge, granted Heinecke, an Oklahoma football linebacker, a preliminary injunction Thursday against the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility with the Sooners.
The hearing took all day and Heinecke, who will return to the Sooners as a redshirt senior, took the stand as the last witness at around 11:30 a.m. and Balkman gave his decision at 3:15 p.m.
It was a stressful, but big day for Heinecke, who is ready to be back on the field in the crimson and cream this season.
“My heart was racing probably harder than it was before a game when I was up on the witness stand,” Heinecke said. “So, pretty crazy day, pretty surreal that, you know, have the case taken this far, but just, you know, super grateful for it all. I’m excited.
“I’m kind of still not over the decision yet. So I’m just really excited.”
Balkman had a list of items he agreed with Heinecke’s counsel toward the things needed to grant a preliminary injunction, including the NCAA’s lack of review of Heinecke’s totality of circumstances, Heinecke’s potential irreparable harm and the lack of good faith in the treatment of Heinecke’s case.
The NCAA denied OU’s waiver for Heinecke in January and denied the appeal in February. That made the injunction filing necessary for Heinecke to return to Norman this season.
Now that he’s confirmed returning, Heinecke will be a likely starter for the Sooners and the leader of Oklahoma’s dominant defense.
He had the support of plenty in and out of the courtroom. Part of his counsel’s witness list included OU coach Brent Venables, OU GM Jim Nagy, OU’s Director of Compliance Brady Newville and his high school coach J.J. Tappana.
After the ruling, Heinecke was handed a phone and it was Venables on the other line, excited for Heinecke to return.
“Oh my gosh, he was pretty excited, but I don’t know, not as excited as I am,” Heinecke said. “So, you know, just to hear him be excited, you know, it’s something that’s super special. I told him, ‘Remember how excited you are right now when I have a mental error,’ and he said, ‘Not a chance.’
“You know, it’s, it’s a good coach, player relationship, you know, I’m excited for one more year with them.”
Heinecke’s been in limbo about his future since the end of the 2025 regular season, when he was informed about the potential of his eligibility running out.
Though, he’s been preparing to play football — whether that be in Norman or in the NFL.
He participated in the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine and OU’s Pro Day before filing for an injunction. He wanted to stay ready for any chance to play football next season, he just didn’t know where it’d be at.
“I mean, I got denied twice by the NCAA, so I would be lying if I said there weren’t some doubts,” Heinecke said. “And, you know, just kind of the person I am, I was a little bit more pessimistic than I was optimistic. Just, you know, to, you know, if there was a letdown, just to kind of hedge my bets a little bit. So, yeah, there was, it was definitely an up and down the past couple of months.”
He also spent a lot of time with the Sooners this spring during practice, but without a jersey or pads on.
He had athletic shorts and T-shirt on, helping out younger linebackers throughout practice.
“I felt like I kind of had a coaching hat on,” Heinecke said. “So, you know, I was out there just trying to pour into, you know, some of the younger guys help it, but help out as best I can, you know, with whatever anybody needed.
“So I wouldn’t say it’s stressful. It was nice, you know, to be doing something and not just twiddling my thumbs.”
Heinecke is now returning to the Sooners and playing on Owen Field, finishing out a lifelong dream of playing for OU.
He started the final five games of the season last year and is primed for another big season for the Sooners, hoping to further cement his legacy in the crimson and cream.
“Yeah, I’m very excited. My old locker is taken by somebody, so I’m gonna have to find a new locker,” Heinecke said. “But, you know, I’m excited to have my name back up in there, because, you know, there’s nothing like being a Sooner.”
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