Buccaneers could lose preseason standout Jack Pryburn to college football

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers felt they found a hidden gem in undrafted rookie pass rusher Jack Pryburn out of LSU. 

Pryburn made a splash in his NFL debut, recording two sacks in the preseason opener. He looked like a player who could make a longshot bid for a roster spot, or at the very least, earn a place on the practice squad. 

Now, the Buccaneers could lose Pryburn before he gets a chance to make that push. Pryburn is one of 16 players suing the NCAA for the right to return for one more collegiate season, and a temporary restraining order could allow him to do just that. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers could lose standout rookie Jack Pryburn amid NCAA lawsuit

Pete Nakos, a college football insider for On3, broke down the unprecedented situation.

“Former LSU EDGE Jack Pyburn is among 16 players who were granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA on Thursday, returning for the 2026-27 college football season with a fifth year of eligibility. Pyburn is currently on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp roster and posted two sacks in their most recent preseason game.”

Pryburn signed a three-year, $3,115,000 contract with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason. He also received a $15,000 signing bonus, which would become void if he returns to college football.

The biggest factor in Pryburn’s decision would likely be his NIL earning potential. Whenever he eventually returns to the NFL, the Bucs would still hold his rights, so this isn’t an attempt to boost his draft stock. 

Pryburn has been open about his regrets surrounding his college career and his belief that he didn’t make the most of his time at Florida and LSU. 

Perhaps he could make things right with himself internally by putting forth a strong effort while continuing to develop his game for one more season at the college level. Frankly, he was unlikely to earn a roster spot as a rookie anyway. 

“I’ve always been a good football player and had a good college career, but I didn’t perform how I wanted to perform. Part of that is a mental side of the game that I didn’t fully tap into… when I sat on my couch on the day of the draft and I didn’t get drafted I had to look at myself in the mirror.. At the end of the day, my entire college career I just don’t think I worked hard enough,” Pryburn said.

For the Buccaneers, losing Pryburn would be a surprising and unfortunate development after he appeared to be one of the more intriguing young players on the roster. 

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