‘Disgusting,’ ‘LSU Hatewatch Will Be Legendary’ — CFB Fans React to Bucs’ Jack Pyburn Nearing Controversial College Return
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In the Wild West NIL era of college football, LSU has never shied away from being the villain, and that appears set to continue, as they have their eyes set on bringing back NFL preseason sack leader Jack Pyburn to their 2026 roster.
As the NCAA continues to struggle to deliver a clear answer on the eligibility status and legality of players returning to their previous schools, undrafted athletes, for the time being, have a choice to make: Compete for an NFL roster spot or return to the haven of college sports, should their former program welcome them back.
LSU, Jack Pyburn Set to Reunite Amidst Eligibility Chaos
While many head coaches have declined to open those doors, citing the rapidly approaching start of the season as a reason to keep their rosters stable, Lane Kiffin has taken no such approach, going after several current NFL players to bolster the 2026 roster for his LSU Tigers.
Jack Pyburn was waived on Sunday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having noted his intent to return to LSU.
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Pyburn went undrafted this past spring and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. He notched 4 sacks in the preseason and, until this latest news, was figured to be a dark-horse contender to crack the Tampa Bay 53-man squad and a shoo-in for a practice squad. But now, it’s a new era.
“‘The NFL preseason sack leader plans to make his way to LSU if he clears waivers’ might be the one of the crazier things said recently in this chaotic CFB space,” Clemson media personality Grayson Mann noted on his X account.
Cameron Parker reacted to the news, writing, “This is just getting out of hand at this point.”
Pyburn played four collegiate seasons in the SEC, spending three years with the Florida Gators before joining LSU. He set career highs with 2 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in 2025, posting a 77.6 impact score per PFN’s CFB EDGE Impact Metric, good for 56th at his position.
It appeared that his collegiate days were over after 41 career games, and Pyburn was making the most of his NFL shot; just two days ago, he notched 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 tackles for loss in the Buccaneers’ preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It may or may not have been enough to make the active roster, and now, barring more legal action, Pyburn has a safer option lined up.
“Buddy led the NFL in sacks this preseason and still begged to come back to college. What is wrong with these kids?” another account on X questioned.
Previously, this would have been a crazy decision, but with the introduction of NIL and the seemingly limitless checkbook for LSU, Pyburn stands to likely make more money through this decision than through landing on a practice squad.
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LSU’s willingness to pay through the nose to boost its standing in the brutally competitive SEC has become commonplace, and college football fans were quick to react to the news about Pyburn.
“How much did LSU pay them to do that?” a Tennessee fan account asked.
LSU has rarely shied away from being a villain in the NIL era. A few years ago, they poached head coach Brian Kelly from Notre Dame in November 2021, mid-season for the Fighting Irish, and then, after Kelly flamed out in spectacular fashion, they lured Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss last season, despite Kiffin’s Rebels preparing for a College Football Playoff run.
For the second straight season, LSU is rolling out a high-priced lineup laden with transfer stars, and now, they’re looking to add Pyburn back into the mix.
As college football purists revolt against the news, they’re prepared to continue to villainize Lane Kiffin and LSU. One Texas Tech fan account declared that the “LSU hatewatch will be legendary.”
Another account, “TennisWrld,” commented on the ongoing slate of LSU controversies: “It’s truly going to be LSU vs America this season.”
“Words cannot describe how disgusting this is,” Reagan Harris, an Oklahoma State media personality, posted on X.
LSU Hopes to Add Multiple Former Stars to 2026 Roster
Kiffin was bought at a heavy price by LSU, and he was hired to win national championships. As many teams lock in their depth chart, the head coach is pursuing every angle possible to add talent to his roster.
Along with Pyburn, Kiffin also recruited Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris away from their NFL contracts. Junior Tuihalamaka, a transfer from Notre Dame who was injured in the pre-draft process and never signed, is also headed to LSU.
LSU is ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP Poll after finishing the past two seasons unranked. They are targeting a return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019.
Would the NCAA and the SEC allow it, particularly as they seek legal action to prevent these former college players from returning? Kiffin’s first chance at rolling out his new and improved roster, potentially now with a smattering of NFL experience, will be on Saturday, September 5, when they host Clemson.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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