College football has a problem on its hands. Recent court rulings created a loophole that allows some players who were recently cut by NFL teams return to college football for a fifth year of elibility.
This eligibility controversy has prompted significant backlash and opened Pandora’s box about who should and should not be allowed. One player who was seen as the poster boy for this was linebacker Jack Pyburn, who flirted with the idea of a return to the LSU Tigers while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during training camp and the preseason. After the Bucs waived Pyburn, he was expected to try to return to LSU.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs claimed Pyburn off waivers and he has decided against returning to college. The football world was happy with the result, with many college football fans speaking out about the move.
College Football World Jack Pyburn Is Joining Chiefs Instead of LSU
After former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright joined LSU after spending the summer in the NFL, many wondered how many other players would try to return to college.
Many fans and analysts expressed their displeasure with this possibility. Now, with Pyburn opting to join Kansas City rather than LSU, there were plenty of posts celebrating the news.
“Patrick Mahomes just saved college football,” one fan said on X.
Patrick Mahomes just saved college football
— Auburn Einstein (@AuburnEinstein) August 31, 2026
While Mahomes had nothing to do with the move, he is the face of the Chiefs, and his team did their part in this saga.
Pyburn was one of the most productive players in the NFL preseason. He led all players with four sacks during the preseason, which clearly enticed the Chiefs.
“Kansas City Chiefs? You mean the saviors of college football?” another fan added.
Kansas City Chiefs? You mean the saviors of college football? pic.twitter.com/syZ1Bp98SL
— CJ (@S3ALES) August 31, 2026
One user also said: “The Chiefs helping save college football wasn’t on my bingo card.” It seems almost unanimous that college football fans do not want to see these players return to college, and it is easy to understand why.
Allowing NFL players back into college would set a bad precedent. The COVID years and transfer portal have already made things complicated when it comes to college players and their eligibility. At some point, the NCAA will likely have to reinstitute the four-year rule to prevent these older players from sticking around in college.
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Many fans were not happy that LSU coach Lane Kiffin was trying so hard to land these former NFL players. It is his first season at LSU, and he is already putting a massive target on his back. One fan said, “Lane Kiffin Lockered By Andy Reid.”
Ultimately, the NCAA needs to take a long look at its eligibility rules after this season. Every sport has essentially turned into the Wild West, where student-athletes can move all over and chase the most money without any repercussions.
One user put it all into perspective by saying, “There are college fans in the comments asking if a guy picked up by an NFL TEAM can ‘buyout’ his contract to return to college. That is where we are. This ridiculousness doesn’t even sound real.
There are college fans in the comments asking if a guy picked up by an NFL TEAM can “buyout” his contract to return to college. That is where we are.
This ridiculousness doesn’t even sound real. https://t.co/ryL8r1Ag8a
— Carmen Cook (@Carmen_Cook) August 31, 2026
College football may be in a bad place if this keeps happening, and it will be interesting to see how this legal situation plays out.
