Oklahoma Supreme Court determines NCAA filed incorrect document in Owen Heinecke appeal
The Oklahoma Supreme Court directed the NCAA to file a memorialized appealable interlocutory order concerning Owen Heinecke's eligibility on Monday, according to court documents obtained by The Oklahoman .
The Court noted the order that the NCAA filed to appeal the preliminary injunction granted to Heinecke , an OU football linebacker, was not sufficient. Essentially, the NCAA filed the wrong type of document.
The Court is giving the NCAA until May 11 to file an amended petition and until June 16 to file the notice of completion of record. The Oklahoma Supreme Court is known to be strict about filing requirements.
Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman granted the preliminary injunction to Heinecke on April 16, paving the way for him to be eligible for an extra college season in 2026 .
More: Owen Heinecke granted preliminary injunction in NCAA case for OU football eligibility
For now, the appeal process is delayed.
Heinecke, an All-SEC Second Team selection last season, 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 on-field play — 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 football walk-on tryouts.
The NCAA's incorrect appeal filing claimed "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."
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."
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 files wrong document in appeal against OU football's Owen Heinecke
