The Florida football program had a largely disappointing 2024 season. For the first time since 2014, the Florida Gators failed to crack the AP Top 25 at any point in the season and opened the year 1-2, with their lone victory coming against the Samford Bulldogs. However, despite a tough start to the year and a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Graham Mertz, Florida finished the regular season on high, winning three straight games, highlighted by home victories over the then-ranked LSU Tigers and a fringe CFP team in Ole Miss.
With a win at the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl versus Tulane, Florida football can finish the year 8-5, with the program finally looking up following its third year under head coach Billy Napier. Unfortunately, they must do it without ten players who hit the transfer portal, including edge rusher Jack Pyburn. Following his departure to the portal, reports surfaced that Pyburn had wanted a quartet of “guarantees” from Florida in 2025, drawing anger from much of the fanbase.
Florida Football Fans Take Aim at Former EDGE Jack Pyburn
Colin Hackley/AP
According to Hayes Fawcett of On3:
BREAKING: Florida EDGE Jack Pyburn plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
The 6’4 260 EDGE totaled 60 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 5 TFL, & 1 INT this season. Will have 1 year of eligibility remaining.
On Tuesday, linebacker turned edge rusher Jack Pyburn entered the transfer portal, ending his three-year run with Florida football. Pyburn finished the regular season second on the team in tackles with 60. He also had four TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble. Pyburn collected 80 tackles during his time with Florida football. Following his portal entry, reports surfaced that Pyburn asked the Florida Gators for $45 thousand per month, a guaranteed starting position at OLB, a guarantee to play on 3rd downs, and more snaps in the rotation, per @GatorsOnline Senior Writer Zach Abolverdi.
Naturally, the alleged reports drew the ire of Florida football fans, especially with Pyburn wanting a guaranteed starting position and spot on third down despite the team rostering numerous talented pass rushers. Fellow defenders Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs combined for 13 sacks, compared to Pyburn’s lone sack. Nevertheless, the Gator faithful were not happy with Pyburn’s demands, regardless of his current status with the program:
Wouldn’t blink at the money. Nothing asked was unreasonable, just unrealistic.
guaranteeing a starting spot or situational gameplay isn’t the most reasonable when you know you’re competing with other great guys.
Go be great at your next stop.
— FLA_Sports (@FLA_Sportz) December 11, 2024
Crazy thing is only problem they had was with the starting it's hard to commit to that with Sapp gumbs searcy McCray James all vying for playtime
— Danardo Blanco(352) (@WhiteDanard) December 11, 2024
This can’t be real right?
— Gator1724 (@dhatch1724) December 11, 2024
Someone requiring $45K a month shouldn't need any "guarantees" to be a starter…
— Josh Boutwell (@joshbmessenger) December 11, 2024
“Guaranteed to play on 3rd downs”
“Guaranteed starting position at OLB”So then if he stinks it up does he have to give the money back??
— Sidelines – USC 🏴☠️ (@SSN_USC) December 11, 2024
Good for Florida. No school worth anything is going to guarantee a player a starting position, or let them dictate how much they want/are going to play.
— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) December 11, 2024
Jack Pyburn: “I want $45k a month to play at UF”
Billy Napier: pic.twitter.com/wgiaFLt6ME
— EST Šammy🐊 (@IwillrouteU) December 11, 2024
If guys like jack Pyburn will dip then loyalty to the logo is truly dead. I hate this new era of CFB https://t.co/Oa2NaN1foc
— Ryan matthews (@2015_matthews) December 10, 2024
Transfers of guys like Maalik Murphy at Duke and Jack Pyburn at UF are signs of how much the times have changed.
Both got a shot at their programs under coaches who they bought into and then became productive leaders.
Both could be captains on good teams next year but test…
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) December 10, 2024
This is absolutely ABSURD & we are in a SAD state of College Football 👎
Look Jack Pyburn is a kid I like, tough player who grinded his way up the depth chart & a guy who I thought lived up to the Gator Standard
But WTF is this?!? Gaurantees?!?
NFL guys aren’t even demanding… https://t.co/E6CSgo6CGW
— Sebastian Fearon DPT, CSCS, OCS (@TheDegenDoc) December 11, 2024
More Florida Football News by Gridiron Heroics
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“What a Turnaround For the Gators!” – Florida Gators Coach Secures Two Big Wins Amidst Cloudy 2025 Future
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“Billy Will Flip Mike Norvell Next” – Florida Gators Continue Massive Recruiting Run With Big 4-Star RB Flip
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