Owen Heinecke is a linebacker and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who played his college football career with the Oklahoma Sooners after a brief stint as a lacrosse player at Ohio State. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Heinecke attended Bishop Kelley High School as a dual-sport athlete and was one of the top lacrosse recruits in the state, receiving limited football scholarship interest before accepting an offer to play lacrosse at Ohio State. After appearing in three lacrosse games in 2021, he transferred to Oklahoma as a walk-on football player, sitting out 2022 before contributing primarily on special teams in 2023 and 2024. He broke through as a starter in 2025, playing in all 13 games and recording 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble, earning Second Team All-SEC recognition, an invitation to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, and the program's Don Key Award. His unique path drew national attention as the NCAA ultimately denied his appeal for an additional year of football eligibility, ruling that his three lacrosse appearances counted against his clock.
Measuring 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Heinecke is known for exceptional straight-line speed, explosive downhill burst, and an aggressive play style that makes him most effective when attacking gaps and pursuing ball carriers in space. His one year of significant starting experience, combined with elite athleticism and a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at pro day, project him as a developmental linebacker whose special teams ability and motor give him a realistic path to earning a roster spot and growing into a situational defensive role at the professional level.
