Oklahoma legend Brian Bosworth knows all about being an elite linebacker and sticking it to the NCAA, so there might not be a better person out there than "The Boz" to evaluate OU linebacker Owen Heinecke, who just last week won his case against the NCAA to earn another year of eligibility.
With Heinecke now returning after a breakout 2025 season, Bosworth this week during an appearance on KREF radio in Norman proclaimed high expectations for Heinecke's real senior season, including winning the Butkus Award, which is given to the best linebacker in college football and Bosworth himself won twice as a Sooner.
Brian Bosworth sets Butkus Award expectations for Owen Heinecke after NCAA win
"The sky's the limit, really, for Owen," Bosworth said. "I've had a chance to visit with him a few times. Every time I walk away from that visit, I'm just more and more impressed with this young man and what's he's able to have accomplished in the very short time that he's played.
"He's a cerebral player. He's very, very smart. He's very instinctual. He understands the game. He not only understands his position, but he understands the positions that are around him."
Is Owen Heinecke a legitimate candidate to win the Butkus Award?
— The REF (@KREFsports) April 21, 2026
Brian Bosworth says yes.
“If he continues to do what he did last year, we’re going to get on the Owen Heinecke for Butkus Award committee, right away.” pic.twitter.com/wlsTAmHWjn
A former walk-on who spent his first three years getting basically no playing time, Heinecke last season earned a starting job while recording 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble, and was named All-SEC Second Team.
That seemed to be Heinecke's last college football season after two failed appeals to the NCAA, but a judge finally ruled Heinecke eligible after he sued the NCAA for another year between COVID disrupting his recruitment, three lacrosse games at Ohio State and an entire season lost to injury.
Read more: Oklahoma's defensive depth chart just got scary after Owen Heinecke eligibility twist
Bosworth not only knows all about being great at their shared position, but also gets the luxury as an OU legend to attend practices, including recently during the Sooners' spring camp. While noting how complex head coach Brent Venables' defensive system is, Bosworth specifically mentioned an instance where Heinecke coached up Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan. It was clear Heinecke's knowledge of the game blows Bosworth away, which leads him to high hopes.
"If he continues to do what he did last year, we're gonna get on the 'Owen Heinecke for Butkus Award' committee right away," Bosworth said.
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