Aug. 20, 2026, 3:05 p.m. ET
Buccaneers rookie edge rusher Jack Pyburn is challenging the NCAA in court as he attempts to preserve the possibility of playing another season of college football. AYS Sports reported that Pyburn has filed suit against the NCAA and is asking the court for an injunction that could restore his ability to play college football. Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer were also credited with the reporting. It’s an unusual development for a player currently trying to establish himself in the NFL. Pyburn finished his college career at LSU before landing with Tampa Bay, where he’s spent training camp competing for a place in a revamped Buccaneers pass-rush rotation.
The lawsuit doesn’t necessarily mean Pyburn intends to walk away from his opportunity with Tampa Bay. Based on information reported by AYS Sports, the legal action aims to make a return to college available to him rather than indicating he has already decided to pursue that route. That distinction matters as Pyburn continues his first NFL training camp. For now, he’s still a Buccaneer, but his legal challenge could provide him with another avenue depending on how his NFL opportunity and the case against the NCAA develop.
