Talk about a bombshell! Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn, the former LSU edge rusher, just got a temporary restraining order from a Louisiana judge. This isn’t just some technicality, folks. This TRO, granted to Pyburn and 15 other players against the NCAA on Wednesday, cracks open the door for them to actually *leave* the NFL and go back to play college football. It’s a wild move and another huge courtroom loss for the NCAA, whose eligibility model keeps getting challenged hard by players looking for more time on the field.
The Fight Against the NCAA’s Clock
Pyburn’s argument against the NCAA is rooted in their strict five-year clock. He’s making his case based on his injury-shortened 2023 campaign at Florida, where a torn ACL ended his season after just nine appearances. You gotta feel for the guy, losing a year like that. Pyburn isn’t alone in this fight either. Other players who successfully secured a TRO in that Louisiana court include former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, who was the 2025 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and even got invites to minicamps with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs this month. Ole Miss starters Dae’Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris, and Wydett Williams, along with SMU running back TJ Harden, are also on that list. This whole thing is a significant tremor for college football, no doubt.
The Eligibility Quagmire Just Got Wilder
This latest twist in eligibility chaos actually stems from a Colorado court ruling from earlier this summer. We’ve seen members of the 2022 recruiting class get an extra year of eligibility thanks to District Judge Charlotte Sweeney. But here’s the kicker: those players hadn’t signed NFL contracts. Even though Judge Sweeney clarified on August 2 that NCAA rules *should* still apply to players who’ve signed pro deals, making them ineligible for college return, sources are saying that teams are still in contact with different players about heading back to school. Pyburn himself had exhausted what the NCAA considered his eligibility after four seasons, capping it off with a productive final year at LSU where he started 11 games, racking up 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and eight quarterback pressures before hitting the Senior Bowl and signing with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent. He was even an active participant in training camp this preseason!
What’s next? This TRO isn’t a final ruling, but it gives Pyburn immediate relief and the chance to chase another opportunity while the lawsuit moves forward. With his SEC experience and proven production, Pyburn could become a highly coveted defensive player if he officially becomes available. For the NCAA, this is just another big crack in an eligibility structure that courts are questioning more and more. It’s going to be wild to see how this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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