Jack Pyburn officially entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after playing three seasons of college football at Florida. He reportedly presented a very specific list of demands that the Gators would have to meet if they wanted to keep him in Gainesville.
Head coach Billy Napier and his staff supposedly told him to walk.
Pyburn is a rising senior with one year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound edge rusher was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2022 and really burst onto the scene with a breakout year in 2024.
His 60 total tackles (20 solo) was the second-most on the team. He also recorded a sack and an interception, and forced a fumble.
Jack Pyburn mid season highlight the Pyburn slander stops today😤🐊 pic.twitter.com/m64Uk1pWHe
— Deshaun (@DeshaunDMurray1) October 25, 2024
Pyburn will not return to Florida next college football season. As a native of Jacksonville with great love for the Gators, his decision to hit the transfer portal was a bit of a surprise.
No big decision is ever an easy one, but this was an especially hard one to make. After much though, prayer and discussions with my family and those close to me, I feel that I have lived out and completed by childhood goals at the University of Florida.
With that being said, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining.
I want to thank Coach Napier and Coach Peterson for allowing me the opportunity to live out my dreams, play for this great university, and represent the orange and blue with everything I had every day!
I would not trade these past three years for anything, as I have been blessed with so many amazing people in my life and countless challenges that have allowed me to become who I am today. I will always look back on this place and forever be thankful for the memories I’ve gained and the love and support Gator Nation has shown me.
I think God for the blessings he has given me and look forward to the next chapter of my journey!
— Jack Pyburn
Here is where things get messy. Pyburn posted his announcement on Instagram with a snippet of the song ‘Chosen 1’ by Polo G.
The lyrics he used for his post allude to some potential drama that was going on behind the scenes.
You broke that bond, now when it come to you, my feelings weak
You let your selfish ways come in between our chemistry
Why you play with my heart and not show love consistently?
I put my life on the line, you wouldn’t take that risk for me
F—– up my choice, wish I could delete all our memories
— Polo G
It sounds like there was indeed a falling out at the end. According to Zach Abolverdi of On3, Jack Pyburn went to Florida with a list of demands. He wanted:
- $45,000 per month (approximately $540,000 for one final season)
- A guaranteed starting spot at outside linebacker
- A guaranteed spot in the rotation on third downs
- An increase of snaps in the rotation
The Gators were reportedly unwilling to grant their best edge rusher’s requests. Pyburn did not get what he wanted from his conversation with the coaching staff and Florida brass so he decided to pack his bags and moved on from the program he grew up idolizing. Just like that!