Jack Pyburn wants to return to LSU.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie defensive end has not said that on the record, but having an attorney file for a temporary restraining order to open the door for his return to Baton Rouge is all the circumstantial evidence needed.
The TRO was granted by a Louisiana judge Wednesday to 16 former college football players including Pyburn and former Ole Miss Rebels, tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris.
Those players must now decide between chasing an NFL dream or pursuing heavy paychecks promised to elite college athletes.
Players who have donned professional uniforms returning to college is sure to elicit an emotional response. Let’s put that aside for the time being and just talk practicality.
If Pyburn were to earn a spot on the Bucs 53-man roster, the rookie minimum salary would be $885,000. LSU would have to pass the hat to collect at least that much to convince Pyburn to spurn his NFL dream for another season. If LSU were to pursue Harris, Wright or any of the other players granted a TRO, college football’s first $50 million roster could swell further.
How do those roster spots become available? The walk ons from last season’s team have been grandfathered in and would not be at risk of losing a spot. Their numbers don’t count against this team. Any fifth-year players that come in would count against the 85-scholarship limit. The transfer additions would be a priority for LSU which could makes 11th hour roster casualties a possibility.
Relationships almost certainly work in LSU’s favor. Pyburn’s family has a camp in Tickfaw, La. His defensive coordinator Blake Baker and position coach Kevin Peoples are still on staff. Pyburn and senior linebacker Whit Weeks became fast friends during their one season together and would most certainly relish the opportunity to join forces again.
Pyburn was a special teams standout during his time at Florida under Joe Houston, who is now the Tigers’ special teams coordinator. He also shared a defensive line room with Princely Umanmielen—whose brother transferred to LSU from Ole Miss in January.
LSU’s need at the position is unmistakable. After Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen and former Tennessee five-star Jordan Ross, the room is considerably thin. Junior Gabe Reliford was lost for the season with an ACL injury in spring. That leaves career reserve Dylan Carpenter and true freshman Lamar Brown running with the second unit.
Pyburn played in 41 games with 20 starts across four seasons with the Gators and Tigers.
He would also have the opportunity to graduate from LSU (Pyburn lost a year’s worth of credits when he transferred from Gainesville).
There are sure to be other suitors among college football’s biggest spenders (we’re looking at you Longhorns, Aggies and Sooners) but the writing is on the wall for a return to LSU.
The only real question that remains is whether or not Pyburn would make the Bucs’ roster. If Pyburn is released after next Friday’s preseason finale against the Jaguars, he could theoretically be in Baton Rouge by Saturday with a week to prepare for the season opener against Clemson. Familiarity with the defensive scheme would make a transition from pewter and red to purple and gold seamless.
Should the Bucs cut Pyburn, a return to college under the judge’s TRO would also mean Pyburn would be eligible to reenter the NFL Draft in 2027. A healthy, productive season in Baton Rouge could net Pyburn more guarantees as a draft pick and a better chance at making a roster without looking over his shoulder.
While it might not make sense to the average college football fan, a reunion certainly makes sense for LSU and Pyburn. A Louisiana judge agrees.
Maybe that’s the strangest part of this new era of college football. A player can spend August fighting for an NFL roster spot while keeping one eye on a college depth chart 700 miles away.
For Pyburn, those two roads could intersect next week.
Make the Bucs’ 53, and his NFL career begins. Get handed a pink slip, and he could trade Raymond James Stadium for Tiger Stadium, an NFL paycheck for an LSU payday and one last college season for another shot at the draft.
College football has spent years erasing the line between amateur and professional sports. Pyburn might be the player who finally steps across it twice.
And if Tampa Bay decides he isn’t a Buccaneer, don’t be surprised if he’s a Tiger again before the ink on his release papers is dry.
