Judge grants temporary restraining order that could let Jack Pyburn and 15 others pursue a college football return

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn, a former LSU edge rusher, is among 16 players who have been granted a temporary restraining order that could allow them to return to college football. The order stems from litigation challenging the NCAA’s rules that generally restrict athletes from going back to college after entering the NFL draft and signing with a pro team. The development, reported by CBS Sports, adds fresh uncertainty for the college eligibility landscape heading into 2026.

According to the report, the temporary restraining order was granted by a Louisiana judge on Wednesday. The order was issued against the NCAA, and the group of plaintiffs includes Pyburn and 15 other players. In practical terms, the order is described as clearing a path for those players to leave the NFL and return to college football for the 2026 season, at least while the legal dispute moves forward.

For Pyburn, the change is notable because it connects a specific Buccaneers rookie to a broader eligibility fight that could affect multiple programs. The report frames Pyburn as an LSU standout who is now in the NFL, which means any college return would represent a reversal of the typical post-draft trajectory for players who begin their professional careers.

This is a college football story even though it begins in the NFL. The NCAA’s eligibility rules are designed to preserve competitive balance and maintain a clear boundary between professional play and college participation. When courts get involved, the usual “no return” framework can be disrupted temporarily, which creates planning challenges for schools that recruit and build rosters on multi-year timelines.

A temporary restraining order is not the final outcome of litigation. It usually provides short-term relief while courts consider the merits more fully. That means this development may open a door for the players named in the matter, but it does not automatically guarantee that every player will be able to return, nor does it resolve how the NCAA and other stakeholders will respond as the case continues.

The reported timing also matters: college football roster decisions, spring practices, fall camps, and transfer planning all occur well before August game weekends. If the order remains in effect and the athletes complete the necessary steps to re-enter college, teams could be forced to adjust depth charts and recruiting priorities with a new set of possible contributors.

For Buccaneers fans and college coaches alike, the immediate question is what happens next in the case and whether the NCAA seeks to narrow or overturn the order. For players, the next steps are likely to involve formal eligibility processes tied to the specific school and compliance requirements, which can vary even when an order permits a return in principle.

In the coming weeks, watch for follow-up reporting on the full list of plaintiffs, how the NCAA responds procedurally, and whether any college programs publicly clarify roster plans around the 2026 return window described in the order.