NORMAN — Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke, one of the Sooners' best defenders, is down to a last-gasp opportunity for another season of eligibility. OU general manager Jim Nagy posted on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday night that Heinecke's appeal to the NCAA had been denied. UPDATE @OU_Football fans: NCAA has denied Owen Heinecke's petition for another year at OU. Evidently, this walk-on's three games of lacrosse at Ohio State… pic.twitter.com/ZAhAQbsJHQ — Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_Sooners) January 30, 2026Nagy said that OU would make a final appeal of that decision, but if that was denied, Heinecke would be off to the NFL. If Heinecke's appeal is denied, the Sooners' linebacker depth would take a hit, but they wouldn't be in terrible shape.