NCAA appealing ruling granting Oklahoma LB Owen Heinecke an extra year of eligibility
NORMAN — The NCAA is appealing the preliminary injunction that Cleveland County District Court Judge Thad Balkman granted to Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke April 16 that paved his way to be eligible for an extra college season in 2026, according to court documents obtained by The Oklahoman .
In a filing in the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday, the NCAA is appealing the injunction, claiming "the district court erroneously granted Mr. Heinecke his requested injunctive relief. Respectfully, the NCAA applied its rules to the letter. Plaintiff's evidence at the hearing primarily addressed character and athletic skills-neither disputed-not his entitlement to mandatory relief."
In the nine-page filing on Friday, the NCAA argues that "the only evidence properly considered is OU's original submissions. The district court erred by concluding he met his burden by 'clear and convincing' evidence. It substituted its judgment for the NCAA's."
More: Owen Heinecke granted preliminary injunction in NCAA case for OU football eligibility
Per the filing, the NCAA argues that Heinecke "did not establish by clear and convincing evidence that the NCAA's application of its Bylaws was arbitrary and capricious as to the University of Oklahoma's application for waiver and subsequent appeal on his behalf" and "failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he will suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction."
The appeal by the NCAA was expected.
Heinecke, an All-SEC Second Team selection last season, helps the OU football team's depth at linebacker tremendously. He ranked second on the team with his 74 tackles in 2025 while totaling 12 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Heinecke was initially ruled to be out of eligibility due to the NCAA counting three games — 15 minutes — of lacrosse at Ohio State against him from his freshman year in 2021. Heinecke argued he was unable to play football that season due to the NCAA canceling official recruiting visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a hip avulsion and the Buckeyes not holding walk-on tryouts.
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: NCAA appealing Owen Heinecke ruling granting Oklahoma LB eligibility
