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
No. 1 Recruit Jalen Brewster Reaffirms Commitment to Texas Tech Jalen Brewster, the nation’s top-ranked recruit in the 2027 college football cycle, has officially reaffirmed his decision to commit to Texas Tech, ending months of speculation about his future. The five-star defensive tackle, who has been a focal point of the Red Raiders’ recruiting efforts since October, announced his commitment on Wednesday, signaling his intent to shut down his recruitment and sign with the program as an early enrollee later this year. Brewster, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound prospect from Cedar Hill, Texas, had been evaluating offers from multiple programs throughout the spring and summer, including visits to Florida, LSU, Indiana, SMU, Texas, and his current school, Texas Tech. The decision comes after a prolonged period of uncertainty, during which LSU and coach Lane Kiffin emerged as the most serious alternatives to Texas Tech. Sources close to the recruitment indicated that LSU’s program remained a significant contender in Brewster’s process well into mid-August. However, the Red Raiders’ coaching staff and recruiting team maintained unwavering confidence in the prospect’s commitment, emphasizing that Brewster’s verbal pledge from October would be honored. Texas Tech’s program, which has been aggressively building its 2027 class, viewed Brewster as a critical piece to its long-term success, particularly given his status as the first No. 1 overall recruit to commit to the school. Brewster’s commitment solidifies Texas Tech’s position as a top-tier program in the 2027 recruiting class, which currently ranks No. 10 in ESPN’s latest rankings. His arrival marks a significant milestone for the Red Raiders, as he becomes the first player in the program’s history to secure the No. 1 overall ranking in the ESPN 300.#texas_tech #lane_kiffin #jalen_brewster #cedar_hill #buford_high_school
LSU Football's SEC Preseason Poll Ranking and Lane Kiffin's Challenges LSU football was ranked fifth in the SEC preseason poll for the 2026 season, as determined by media members. The team was projected to finish behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M in the league standings but ahead of Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Florida. The poll results, released on Friday, highlighted the high expectations for the program under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Nine LSU players were selected to the All-SEC team. Tight end Trey’Dez Green and left tackle Jordan Seaton earned first-team honors on offense, while center Braelin Moore was named to the third-team offense. On defense, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and linebacker Whit Weeks secured first-team spots. Cornerback DJ Pickett and safety Ty Benefield were named to the second-team defense. Additional selections included linebacker TJ Dottery on the third-team and punter Grant Chadwick on the first-team. Two voters out of 164 predicted LSU would win the SEC title, making it one of eight teams to receive at least one first-place vote. Last season, the Tigers finished 10th in the league after being picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll. That result led to the firing of coach Brian Kelly and the hiring of Kiffin, who became a focal point at SEC media days in Tampa, Florida. Kiffin faced questions about his decision to leave Ole Miss ahead of its College Football Playoff run in November. He also addressed his recent social media silence, which he attributed to a challenge from his teenage son, Knox. During media days, Kiffin acknowledged the pressure of coaching LSU and the expectations placed on the program.#lsu_football #sec_preseason_poll #lane_kiffin #trey_dez_green #braelin_moore
