Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn has filed a court document stating his intention to return to LSU for the 2026 college football season if the franchise releases him before September 1, leveraging a Louisiana temporary restraining order that restores a fifth year of eligibility.
An intersection of courtrooms and college athletics has thrust undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn into the center of a developing eligibility battle. Pyburn, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2026 NFL Draft, recorded two sacks during preseason action and has been competing for a roster spot on the defensive depth chart. Yet his immediate professional future remains tied to a Louisiana state court decision that could send him straight back to Baton Rouge.
How a Louisiana Court Order Opened a Fifth Year of College Eligibility
The path from the NFL back to the NCAA stems from a temporary restraining order issued by Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court. That ruling restored a fifth year of college eligibility to more than 30 college athletes, including Pyburn, Zxavian Harris, and Dae’Quan Wright, from the 2022 recruiting class. Pyburn played his first three seasons at the University of Florida before transferring to LSU ahead of the 2025 season. During his lone campaign with the Tigers, he started 11 of 12 games, totaling 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery.
Under the terms outlined in the temporary restraining order, a player wishing to return to the collegiate ranks must terminate any professional contract they hold and repay any money received prior to playing in a collegiate game. For Pyburn, that means returning to LSU if he is not on an NFL roster by the September 1 deadline set by the court order, according to a report from NOLA.com cited in regional coverage.
Buccaneers Contract Status and the Financial Calculus of NIL vs. the NFL
If Pyburn attempted to return to college without being released by Tampa Bay, the franchise would retain his professional rights. According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, a player who refuses or fails to perform under contract has that contract tolled, meaning the three-year deal Pyburn signed with the Buccaneers would effectively pause until he returned to professional football.
Pyburn received a $15,000 signing bonus from the Buccaneers and was guaranteed $100,000 for the upcoming season as part of a deal. By comparison, spending a full season on the NFL 53-man roster would earn a player the league minimum of $885,000, while a spot on a practice squad yields about $250,000. However, lucrative Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities at major college programs have altered the financial landscape for fringe roster players.
The financial debate mirrors earlier offseason disputes, notably the case of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whose legal fight allowed him to remain in college where he is expected to make between $5 million and $6 million this season—outpacing the financial earnings of most mid-round NFL draft picks.
Preseason Performance and Buccaneers Roster Decisions
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles addressed the situation during media availability, acknowledging the legal developments while maintaining focus on the team’s immediate schedule.
Pyburn has drawn attention during training camp not only for his pass-rushing production but also for his extensive special-teams background, having logged 574 special-teams snaps during his college career. Draft analyst Dane Brugler noted in The Beast that Pyburn’s value lies in his run-stopping ability and high-motor play, traits that enhance his bid for the back end of an NFL roster. Bowles emphasized the necessity of versatility for players fighting for roster spots at the bottom of the depth chart.
If you’re going to be toward the back end of the outside (linebackers), you’ve got to be able to play special teams, and you’ve kind of got to be a jack-of-all-trades and do certain things. He made us watch it. He made it known, and we’re going to see what he does going forward, but he definitely made an impression.
Pyburn told reporters he remains unconcerned with the broader administrative noise surrounding his eligibility status.
I’m not really worried about what the outcome is.
Conference Restrictions and the Looming September 1 Deadline
Should Pyburn be waived before the Sept. 1 deadline, his return to Baton Rouge would set up a direct confrontation with athletic conference governance. Major conferences including the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 have enacted policies designed to bar athletes with professional experience from re-entering collegiate rosters. The SEC specifically adopted its restriction after LSU pursued multiple players attempting a jump back from the professional ranks.
With court-ordered eligibility colliding directly with conference bylaws, Pyburn’s immediate future hinges entirely on how Tampa Bay finalizes its roster ahead of the upcoming regular season.
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