Crimson Countdown: No. 38 Owen Heinecke
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.
Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 38 Owen Heinecke
2024 stats: Played 13 games, seven tackles
2025 outlook:
A linebacker by position title, but really when you think about Heinecke? It’s about his role with special teams.
He has sort of been the anchor of those units the last couple of seasons. So, yes, he’ll continue to be a reserve linebacker. However, his biggest contribution will continue to be special teams.
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Heinecke repeatedly beats everybody down the field on coverage units. He has the chances to make a lot of plays. When he makes them, obviously, the OU defense is in a much better spot.
And he’ll continue to do what he has done academically, routinely making the SEC Honor Roll. Essentially? Just keep doing what you’re doing.
2025 special teams outlook
It’s a turning of the page at kicker and punter. Guys are going to have to step up and show out for OU to be effective in this spot. Luckily, though, you totally trust special teams coach Doug Deakin to make this happen. It was hard to get a great gauge during the spring about the confidence, and OU was very active in the post-spring portal to make things even better. You know Venables never ever forgets about special teams. You don’t realize you don’t have a punter or kicker until it’s too late. OU is hoping it never reaches that point.
