Jack Pyburn Waived by Buccaneers, Could Return to LSU? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived undrafted rookie linebacker/edge rusher Jack Pyburn on Sunday, according to a team source confirmed to The Athletic. The move has sparked speculation about Pyburn’s potential return to college football, with his former school, LSU, at the center of the discussion over eligibility for players with professional experience. Pyburn, 22, was signed by the Buccaneers in May and made a case for his 53-man roster spot with a league-leading four sacks in three preseason games. However, the team waived him ahead of Sunday’s final roster cut deadline. Pyburn will now face the NFL waiver wire, where a team could claim him and inherit his current contract. If he clears waivers, he will become a free agent and can sign with any team. The most intriguing aspect of his situation, however, is the possibility of a return to college football. Pyburn’s agents first raised the idea a few months ago as the NCAA simplified its eligibility rules, allowing athletes five years to play five seasons. This change, however, does not apply to fourth-year seniors like Pyburn, who had already completed their eligibility. This led to a wave of lawsuits from 2022 high school recruits seeking an extra year of college eligibility. Pyburn was part of a lawsuit filed by over 30 athletes in Louisiana that secured a temporary restraining order, allowing them to play in college this academic year. To regain eligibility, Pyburn and other players who participated in NFL camps or preseason rosters would need to terminate their professional contracts and repay any earnings. Pyburn’s deal with the Buccaneers guaranteed him $115,000, including a $15,000 signing bonus.#tampa_bay_buccaneers #lsu #lane_kiffin #jack_pyburn #blake_baker
