Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke has been granted a preliminary injunction allowing him an extra year of eligibility for the 2026 college football season. The decision, made by Judge Thad Balkman at a Cleveland County court, followed a daylong hearing that included testimonies from Oklahoma's head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy. Heinecke's eligibility was initially denied by the NCAA, which argued that his clock started during his time at Ohio State in 2021 when he played lacrosse. However, Heinecke's attorneys contended that his eligibility should be counted from when he joined Oklahoma's football program in 2022. Heinecke, who had a breakout season in 2025, is expected to return to a strong linebacker corps alongside Kip Lewis and Cole Sullivan. The ruling is part of a broader trend of legal challenges against the NCAA regarding player eligibility, with Heinecke's case marking a significant win amid mixed outcomes for other players seeking similar relief.