INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Jack Pyburn of the Louisiana State Tigers speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) Getty
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 15: Raylen Sharpe #6 of the Arkansas Razorbacks is tackled by Jack Pyburn #44 and Harold Perkins Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers during the first quarter of an NCAA game at Tiger Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Getty
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn could return to college after a stand out showing in the preseason game against the New York Jets . Pyburn joins 16 other current NFL players who could return to the NCAA if they do not make the 53-man roster. After the Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, the possibility now exists that players can return to school.
Pyburn originally started at the University of Florida before transferring to LSU for the 2025 college football season. If he returns to college, Pyburn will enter the transfer portal and could receive a significant offer from a university that could pay more than being in the NFL. He would also be able to play in the upcoming NCAA season.
Bowles responded to the ruling and how it affects Pyburn during Thursday's practice: "I saw the ruling. I have not heard anything from him."
Pyburn can enter the transfer portal and return to the Buccaneers if Tampa Bay does not release him. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement states: "If player… fails or refuses to perform his services under this contract, then this contract will be tolled between the date of Player's… failure or refusal to perform, and the later date of his return to professional football." The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would retain the rights to Pyburn's services.
Jack Pyburn signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent out of LSU.
That being said, the court also outlines that if the player enters the transfer portal, they would have to "terminate any [professional] contract and repay any money they have received prior to playing in a collegiate game." Sometimes you fail to have your cake and eat it too. However, in this case, you have to spit it out and give it back to the bakery.
Comparing what Pyburn could earn in college to the NFL is almost terrifying. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave him a $15,000 signing bonus that becomes $100,000 guaranteed if he makes the roster. His salary would be $885,000 for the entire year — the league minimum. Yet, he could make millions in the NCAA given his impact potential.
As it seems so far in training camp, Pyburn appears to have been a steal in undrafted free agency, but a return to college football would damage the Buccaneers undoubtedly.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic graded Pyburn as a sixth round pick in his pre-draft evaluations. He said, "[Pyburn] doesn't offer much upside as a pass rusher, but he is stout versus the run and competes with a touch of insanity to him (in a good way)."
Given his performance against the New York Jets, the hype around Pyburn throughout the NFL began to increase. However, Pyburn would probably play on special teams in the NFL as he tries to climb the depth chart.
When asked about the ongoing situation, Pyburn said "I'm not really worried about what the outcome is If anything, I'm just going to continue my daily process, and at the end of the day try to be the best player that I can be, and hopefully one day that's one of the best in the league."
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