Ten Sooners descend on the NFL Scouting Combine, see which Oklahoma stars are making their case for the pros
The University of Oklahoma Sooners are making a strong showing at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, with 10 former players in attendance. This marks a significant increase from just 3 attendees last year, highlighting the depth and talent developed under the program in recent seasons.
Oklahoma's total ties for the 5th-most among all college teams sending prospects to the event, which runs from February 23 through March 2 and features 319 invited athletes overall.
The Sooners' contingent is heavily defense-oriented, reflecting the strength of their 2025 unit that helped propel the team to a successful season and College Football Playoff appearance. The full list of Oklahoma players participating includes:
- Wide receiver Deion Burks
- Defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr.
- Defensive lineman Damonic Williams
Offensively, the group features versatile talents like Burks, a dynamic receiver known for explosive plays, Kanak—a hybrid tight end with blocking and receiving skills—and Nwaiwu, an interior lineman valued for his size and power in the trenches.
The defensive side dominates, however, with four players from the defensive line: edge rushers R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones Jr., along with interior disruptors Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams. This quartet underscores Oklahoma's reputation for producing NFL-caliber trench warriors.
Linebackers Kendal Daniels and Owen Heinecke add athleticism and instincts at the second level, while safety Robert Spears-Jennings brings range and ball skills to the secondary.
One particularly noteworthy storyline involves linebacker Owen Heinecke, who is participating despite recent setbacks in his college career. Heinecke had been fighting for a sixth year of eligibility to return to OU for the 2026 season. The NCAA initially denied his petition—citing prior participation in lacrosse at Ohio State—and subsequently rejected his appeal on February 24, 2026.
Despite the ruling closing the door on additional college play, Heinecke is using the combine as a platform to showcase his abilities to NFL scouts. Reports indicate he remains a high-character prospect with strong on-field production, and some observers believe an NFL team could view him as a valuable addition, potentially even as a "two-contract" player due to his intangibles.
The jump in Oklahoma's combine representation—from 3 last year to 10 this year—speaks to the program's recruiting success, coaching development, and ability to prepare athletes for the professional level.
Players like R Mason Thomas are already drawing mid-round projections in early mocks, while others could rise based on their athletic testing, interviews, and on-field drills in Indianapolis.
For the Sooners' faithful, this is a point of pride: a deep class entering the draft process signals sustained excellence. As these 10 prospects compete under the bright lights of the combine, they carry the Sooner legacy forward, aiming to boost their stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The event provides a critical opportunity to measure up against top talent nationwide, and Oklahoma's strong turnout positions the program as a premier pipeline to the pros.