Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jack Pyburn is currently in training camp, but he is making a run at trying to return to the NCAA in a surprising twist.
On Wednesday, Pyburn filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in hopes of seeking a preliminary injunction to return to play college football.
This comes after the 2022 recruiting class was 2022 granted another year of college eligibility.
New: Former #LSU Edge Jack Pyburn and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE filed a lawsuit today against the NCAA seeking a preliminary injunction that would give him the option to return to college. Sources tell me, @mzenitz, & @chris_hummer. https://t.co/hSwRHcRBhT pic.twitter.com/xzwwbkbxvH
— AYS Sports (@AYSSPORTS) August 19, 2026
A Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order for Pyburn and several other players to be able to return to college.
That means they can enter the transfer portal and search for a new school.
NEWS: A judge in Louisiana has granted a group that includes 16 football player –including several in NFL training camps this summer — a restraining order to allows them to return to college sports this season, per me and @DanMurphyESPN. pic.twitter.com/fUMzBolvbp
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 19, 2026
Pyburn began his college career with the Florida Gators before joining the LSU Tigers for the 2025 season. He went undrafted but was scooped up by the Buccaneers.
However, Pyburn had two tackles and two sacks in the Buccaneers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets.
LSU’s Jack Pyburn had two sacks in his NFL debut 💪🏽🐯🏴☠️👀 pic.twitter.com/8Zfni9hXMc
— Carter Bryant (@PowerHourLSU) August 15, 2026
There are other complications for Pyburn, especially because he has a contract with Tampa Bay and they hold his rights.
This Jack Pyburn story is complicated, but the Bucs have his NFL rights from a signed contract. He got a $15,000 signing bonus, but him leaving the Bucs would likely void his $100k in guaranteed salary. Whenever he returned to NFL, Bucs would have his rights. His agents have not…
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 19, 2026
Some others who were granted the TRO include Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams and SMU RB TJ Harden, as well as James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, who spent time in NFL minicamps with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns.
