Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke was granted a temporary injunction last week in Cleveland County Court that will allow him to be immediately eligible to suit up and play one more year of college football at OU in 2026. However, it looks like the NCAA will still fight back hard to keep Heinecke off the field and reverse Judge Thad Balkman’s decision.
According to On3 SoonerScoop’s George Stoia III, “The NCAA is asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court (or appellate court) to reverse Heinecke’s injunction.” The NCAA filed on Friday, eight days after Heinecke was granted the right to play.
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The NCAA also filed during the same week as the NFL draft, which concludes on Saturday. Heinecke is no longer a draft-eligible player, as he’s coming back to OU, but if Balkman’s ruling does end up being overturned, it puts Heinecke in a bad spot, as the draft will have already come and gone without him even being in the pool of players who can be selected.
The appeal from the NCAA was an expected move, and it begins more legal proceedings. The NCAA will file arguments saying that the injunction was not right, then Heinecke’s legal counsel will respond (they have 30 days to do so), defending the ruling. After that, the appellate court will decide whether to uphold or overturn the ruling.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is not obligated to take all appeals, just the ones it chooses to. Heinecke’s situation is playing out in a similar matter to the case of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. In that instance, the Mississippi Supreme Court threw out Chambliss’ case, denying the NCAA’s appeal.
In the NCAA’s appeal filings they claimed that, “the district court erroneously granted Mr. Heinecke his requested injunctive relief … evidence at the hearing primarily addressed character and athletic skills-neither disputed – not his entitlement to mandatory relief.”
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The NCAA also argues that Heinecke “did not establish by clear and convincing evidence that the NCAA’s application of its Bylaws was arbitrary” and “failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he will suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction.”
Stoia also reports that until a decision is reversed, Heinecke, who is already listed on OU’s official roster, is eligible to play. Reversing the decision could take months, or even longer, and there is a chance that Heinecke’s case doesn’t even reach the Oklahoma Supreme Court until after football season is over. However, the NCAA has requested to put the case on a “fast track docket”.
Again, just like in Chambliss’ situation, an appeal was expected, and Heinecke and the Sooners hope that his case continues to mirror Chambliss’. While Heinecke won his eligibility last week, the NCAA is trying to do everything they can to get that decision overturned, and take the year back from him.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Aug 30, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) tackles Temple Owls running back Terrez Worthy (25) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Aug 30, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) tackles Temple Owls running back Terrez Worthy (25) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
OklahomaÕs Owen Heinecke (38) sacks Alabama’s Ty Simpson (15) in the second half of the College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday Dec. 19, 2025.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) celebrates with Kip Lewis (10) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) celebrates a play with defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr. (97) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) and defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr. (97) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws a pass under pressure by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) and defensive lineman Jayden Jackson (65) in the second half at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) brings down Louisiana State Tigers running back Harlem Berry (22) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the LSU Tigers at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-13.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) brings down Missouri Tigers running back Jamal Roberts (20) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) reacts during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Tennessee running back Star Thomas (9) is grabbed by Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) in an NCAA college football game on November 1, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) runs after Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Ole Miss won 34-26.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) tackles Ole Miss Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws as Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) defends during the first half at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) stops Kent State running back Cade Wolford (21) during the first half of an NCAA football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) in action against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) brings down Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13.
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) reacts in front of Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Greg Crippen (51) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke Photos
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) applies pressure on Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: NCAA fighting to appeal Heinecke case to Oklahoma Supreme Court