Why Oklahoma LB Owen Heinecke Says There's 'No Dropoff' Between Starting, Backup DLs

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defensive line has rightfully received plenty of buzz ahead of the 2026 season.

David Stone and Jayden Jackson — both juniors — will be the starters at defensive tackle. Those two combined for 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2025 while sharing snaps with Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams.

With Halton and Williams now looking to make NFL rosters, others in the defensive tackle room must step up for the position group to reach its ceiling.

And linebacker Owen Heinecke doesn’t think that will be a problem.

“Last year, we had an amazing group, and Jayden Jackson and Stone were a huge part of that, and we’re excited for them to have another great year — and they will,” Heinecke said. “Behind them is no dropoff."

Owen Heinecke knows plenty about what it takes to break out on OU’s defense.

Heinecke, a former walk-on linebacker, recorded 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, three sacks and a forced fumble in 2025. In his three previous seasons with the Sooners, he notched only seven tackles.

While the group of players behind Stone and Jackson is largely unproven, Heinecke compares the defensive line’s depth to how the linebacker room looked before the 2025 season.

“Similar to me last year, everyone was worried about the linebacker depth going into last season, and all it takes is one guy to step up,” Heinecke said.

So, who might be that “one guy” to step up? There are plenty of candidates.

Oklahoma retained Nigel Smith II and Trent Wilson after the 2025 season. Smith is a junior, while Wilson is a sophomore, and those two have logged one tackle each as college football players so far.

The Sooners added former Florida State, Colorado and Georgia State defensive tackle Bishop Thomas from the transfer portal, and he registered 48 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss at GSU in 2025. They also signed ex-UTSA defensive lineman Kenny Ozowalu in January, and he is capable of playing both defensive tackle and defensive end.

And freshman James “Tank” Carrington has also earned rave reviews from his teammates and coaches leading up to his first season.

“All these guys are making huge strides,” Heinecke said.

It’s crucial for OU’s defensive tackles to produce in front of Heinecke and fellow linebackers Kip Lewis, Cole Sullivan, James Nesta and Marcus James.

And whether it’s the first-team group of Stone and Jackson or any of the reserve defensive linemen, Heinecke has no doubts that the big guys up front will make things easier for the linebacker corps.

“They're going to continue to get better every practice, every game,” Heinecke said. “We’re really excited for all of them, and you know, they’ve got two great leaders in Stone and Jayden who are going to pave the way for the rest of the season.”

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