"Judge Thad Balkman ruled that the NCAA had failed to consider the totality of Heinecke's case surrounding his freshman season with Ohio State's lacrosse program in 2021, granting an injunction that allows Heinecke to return to Oklahoma for a fifth season."
"Heinecke emerged as a star for the Sooners in 2025, finishing as the second-leading tackler on the nation's No. 3 run defense and helping carry Oklahoma to its first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019."
"Heinecke's attorneys cited 'the NCAA's bad-faith, unreasonable, and arbitrary decision to deny Owen the opportunity to compete in the upcoming 2026-2027 college football season' in their lawsuit against the NCAA."
Owen Heinecke, an Oklahoma linebacker, was granted a preliminary injunction by a district court judge, allowing him an additional year of eligibility in 2026. The ruling followed a hearing where testimonies from Oklahoma's coach and general manager were presented. The NCAA had previously denied Heinecke's waiver request, prompting him to prepare for the NFL draft. Heinecke's legal team argued that the NCAA's decision was arbitrary and sought to ensure his participation in the 2026-2027 college football season.
Read at ESPN.com
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