NORMAN — Oklahoma football general manager Jim Nagy made clear Monday that the program is not giving up Owen Heinecke being an earlier next season.
Heinecke was thought to be turning to the NFL after attending the scouting pool and having his appeal for an additional year of eligibility denied. by the NCAA.
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Heinecke had no updates to share with The Oklahoman.
“We are still working on some points,” Nagy said Monday. “We’re not giving up. Owen is just a guy you want to fight for. I’ve been in close contact with him and his dad throughout this whole process and through the Senior Bowl and the Owen Combine. If this ends up where he is in the NFL next year, whoever gets him is going to have a really good football player and a great young man. But yeah, we’re still working on it.”
More: What Makes OU Football LB Owen Heinecke’s NCAA Eligibility Case Unique
What does this mean? It’s not clear at this point.
Heinecke, whose petition and appeal were denied because the NCAA counted three (15-minute) Ohio State lacrosse games in 2021 against him, could of course choose to take legal action.
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Heinecke’s father, Justin, said The Oklahoman there are no plans to pursue legal action at this time.
The Tulsa native had a blast for the Earlier during their run to the College Football Playoff last season, totaling 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said he anticipates Heinecke potentially having a selection “early in day three.”
Not knowing whether Heinecke would be back or not was something Nagy and his front office staff explained during the transfer portal window.
“If there’s any hope of getting Owen back, we’re going to do it,” Nagy said. “And it’s not hard for me, it’s the hardest thing for Owen. I mean, he’s trying – he doesn’t know where to focus his time. I know it hasn’t been easy for Owen.”
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Heinecke was back at the football facility last week and watched winter workouts with Nagy.
OU begins spring practice on March 25. His general manager still hopes Heinecke could join the team. Earlier on the ground.
“It really motivated him to come back here and be a sooner,” Nagy said, “being with his teammates again and seeing these guys work.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Early for The Oklahoman. Do you have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoma journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at Subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article was originally published on Oklahoman: OU football not giving up on Owen Heinecke despite losing NCAA appeal
