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Update on Jack Pyburn, who is still considering a return to Florida

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•12/12/24•

ZachAbolverdi

Jack-Pyburn-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators defensive end Jack Pyburn (44) walks on the field during Gator Walk before a game against the UCF Knights at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida starting junior EDGE Jack Pyburn officially entered the transfer portal on Thursday and has already been contacted by more than 30 schools, Gators Online has learned. However, Pyburn isn’t ruling out the possibility of staying at UF.

Florida coach Billy Napier said as much Thursday when discussing Pyburn’s situation for the first time.

“I think obviously, these things are to be determined, but I have nothing but respect for Jack as a teammate, as a competitor,” Napier said. “And these things are unfortunate, but I do think time will tell.”

Pyburn made the announcement Tuesday that he would be going into the portal. Gators Online reported that Florida and Pyburn could not come to terms on Pyburn’s NIL compensation and specific requests he and his advisors had regarding playing time.

Gators Online spoke Thursday with Pyburn’s camp, which made it clear that his move was not over the money and more about getting assurances on increasing his overall snap count as well as his usage in third-down situations.

Pyburn took over as the starting outside linebacker after Florida’s first bye week and started the final eight games of the regular season. He ranked second on the team with 60 tackles and the lineup change was a game-changer for UF’s defense.

Despite Pyburn’s productivity, he finished the year with less snaps played (334) than fellow outside linebackers T.J. Searcy (362) and George Gumbs Jr. (403) but nearly doubled the number of tackles made by Searcy (34 tackles) and Gumbs (32).

Pyburn’s play in 2024 has made him one of most coveted EDGE players in the portal, and his camp told Gators Online on Thursday that three SEC teams are making a strong push for him. However, he has not closed the door on UF yet.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Pyburn has one year of eligibility remaining in college. He’s made 28 career appearances in three years with the Gators, totaling 80 tackles. His 2023 campaign was cut short by a season-ending torn ACL.

Pyburn was back to full strength less than six months after the injury and made an impactful return this fall, becoming a full-time starter and one of the team leaders in Florida’s locker room.

“Look, man, I love Jack Pyburn. I love him like a son,” Napier said on Thursday. “He’s made a tremendous impact on our team, not only with his production on the field, but his attitude, his energy.”

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