Oklahoma LB Owen Heinecke sues NCAA for '26 eligibility

Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Monday as he seeks an additional season of eligibility.

Heinecke, who participated in last month's NFL Scouting Combine after his waiver request and appeal were denied by the NCAA, is seeking an injunction before the NFL draft begins on April 23.

An emergency hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 16 in Oklahoma's Cleveland County Court.

"We're not giving up," Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy said of Heinecke's case earlier this month. "Owen is just a guy you want to fight for."

Heinecke was ruled by the NCAA to be out of collegiate eligibility due to playing in three lacrosse games at Ohio State in 2021 before transferring to Oklahoma's football program as a walk-on. He redshirted in 2022 before playing 39 games over the last three seasons.

He had just 11 total tackles from 2023-24 but broke out last season with 74 tackles (second on the team), 12 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning recognition on the All-SEC second team.

"OU fully supports Owen and his pursuit of a fair opportunity to continue playing the game he loves," Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny said in a statement. "We'll stand firmly beside him as he works to do just that."

Heinecke joins a growing list of college football players suing the NCAA for extra eligibility this offseason to mixed results.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a preliminary injunction to play in 2026 by a Mississippi state court last month, while Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar had his injunction denied. The NCAA has appealed Chambliss' case.

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris is also suing the NCAA in an attempt to be granted a seventh year of eligibility.

--Field Level Media