Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie UDFA Jack Pyburn made headlines last week when he recorded two sacks in a preseason game and sued the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility to return to play at LSU. The return after playing in an NFL game would be unprecedented to this point, and Pyburn is still competing to make an NFL roster as he sues to make a college roster.
After Pyburn was not quite as productive in his second preseason, the rookie opened up about weighing his options.
“Bucs rookie Jack Pyburn, asked if he had to choose between NFL practice squad or returning to college: “Ultimately, that’s a decision I’m going to have to make with my family, talk to my agents and see what’s the best business decision and what’s the best option for me and my future career,”Greg Auman of Fox Sports tweeted.
Pyburn noted that he does not want to speak too much on it, since his agents are handling everything. However, he made it clear that his focus is on playing the best football in front of him and making the Buccaneers roster.
Buccaneers UDFA Jack Pyburn Speaks on Potential Return To College
GettyJack Pyburn
Pyburn was a part of 16 players who were granted a restraining order that allowed players to return to college for a fifth year of eligibility. Pyburn was a part of the legal proceedings before he made it to the NFL. The ruling took until after he joined the Bucs, putting him in an interesting position.
Pyburn is one of three players who were part of the 16 to currently be in NFL training camps. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Xzavian Harris have similar decisions to make.
However, those two had a harder path to the roster and were more questionable practice squad options. Pyburn appears to be a practice squad player, and he is on the fringe of the roster with one week remaining in the preseason.
Pyburn Could Leave Bucs Practice Squad for College
There is no telling what would happen to Pyburn and his role on the Bucs if he returned to college. Pyburn fell to being a UDFA because he lacks some of the physical traits that NFL teams covet.
So, unless Pyburn can grow his arms, he would not return to college to improve his draft stock or standing in the NFL. Making such a strong push for the roster might have been a best-case scenario for Pyburn.
Pyburn has played 49 snaps in the preseason, with 28 coming as a pass rusher, 18 against the run, and three dropping into coverage. Overall, he has two sacks, five tackles and two run stops.
According to PFF, he had a 71 grade in his first game, but that grade dropped to 52.5 in the second week. It could have been because teams were more prepared and he was facing tougher competition.
This speaks to the reality that making the roster might be tough. He is currently behind Rueben Bain, Yaya Diaby, David Walker, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Anthony Nelson.
Does being a sixth rusher and a practice squad option beat out starting for LSU? We will find out what Pyburn values more.
Bucs Rookie Opens Up on Potential NFL Exit, Return to College