Owen Heinecke

Last updated

Owen Heinecke
No. 38  Oklahoma Sooners
Position Linebacker
Class Redshirt.svg Junior
Personal information
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
College
Awards and highlights
Stats at ESPN

Owen Heinecke is an American college football linebacker for the Oklahoma Sooners. He previously played college lacrosse for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Contents

Early life

Heinecke attended Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, playing both running back and safety. [1] A dual-sport athlete, he also played lacrosse, committing to Ohio State University for the sport following his high school career.

College career

After one season of playing lacrosse at Ohio State, Heinecke transferred to the University of Oklahoma as a preferred walk-on to play football. [2] After redshirting in 2022, he played sparingly in 2023 and 2024, mostly playing on special teams. [3] [4] Heinecke's production increased in 2025, leading the Sooners with seven tackles in a win against Michigan. [5] [6] In his first career start against Tennessee, he totaled 13 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble, being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. [7] [8] Following the conclusion of the season, Heinecke was named second-team All-SEC. [9]

References

  1. Brown, Mike (October 8, 2020). "High school football: Tough, tough Owen Heinecke helps carry Comets". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  2. Ray, Ravin (December 17, 2025). "Persistence Pays Off: How Owen Heinecke became a key contributor for OU Football". Newson6.com. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  3. Young, Mason (August 21, 2025). "Can Bishop Kelley grad Owen Heinecke carve out a role in OU's defense?". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  4. Carlson, Jenni. "From Ohio State lacrosse to OU football, how Owen Heinecke made Sooners' LB rotation". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  5. Sulley, Colton. "OU football stock report: Sooners LB Owen Heinecke continues Hollywood-story rise". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  6. Cordova, Davis (September 12, 2025). "'He'd piss me off': How Owen Heinecke went from walk-on lacrosse player to playmaker on OU football's defense". Norman Transcript. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  7. Sulley, Colton. "OU football stock report: Sooners LB Owen Heinecke steps up in Kobie McKinzie's absence". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  8. Young, Mason (November 4, 2025). "Owen Heinecke's big night in OU's win at Tennessee was 'what you dream about as a kid'". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  9. Young, Mason (December 14, 2025). "OU linebacker Owen Heinecke hopes NCAA will grant him another year of eligibility". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 20, 2025.