A Cleveland County judge has granted Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke a preliminary injunction that restores an extra year of eligibility for the 2026 season. After a daylong emergency hearing, Judge Thad Balkman ruled that the NCAA failed to account for Heinecke’s 2021 lacrosse stint at Ohio State. The decision lets the former walk‑on return to the Sooners.

Heinecke, 6‑foot‑1 and 227‑pound, emerged as a force in 2025, recording 74 tackles and earning AP All‑SEC second team honors. His performance helped Oklahoma reach its first College Football Playoff in seven years. Now he will join veteran Kip Lewis and Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan in one of the most experienced linebacker corps in the SEC.

The ruling follows Heinecke’s lawsuit filed March 23, which accused the NCAA of a bad‑faith decision that denied him a chance to compete in 2026‑27. His attorneys argued that his eligibility clock began after he joined Oklahoma, not at Ohio State, citing COVID‑related disruptions and missed tryouts. The court sided with the Sooners, granting a permanent injunction against NCAA retaliation.

Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny welcomed the decision, calling it a fair outcome for a player who handled the process with integrity. The injunction marks a significant blow to the NCAA amid a wave of eligibility lawsuits. With Heinecke back, the Sooners’ defense gains depth as they prepare for a grueling 2026 schedule.