Florida edge rusher Jack Pyburn entering transfer portal

Florida edge rusher Jack Pyburn, who ranks second on the team with 60 tackles this season, and former five-star prospect and Missouri edge rusher Williams Nwaneri are entering the transfer portal.

Pyburn’s management agency, Addison Sports & Entertainment, confirmed his decision.

Pyburn was one of the reasons the Gators (7-5) played better defense down the stretch and made it to the Gasparilla Bowl. But the 6-foot-3 junior from Jacksonville joined a growing list of Florida defenders who have entered the portal, following defensive linemen Justus Boone and Kelby Collins as well as cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson and linebacker Deuce Spurlock.

The Gators did get some good news on the transfer front this week when defensive tackle Caleb Banks announced he is returning to Florida for his senior season.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Nwaneri was one of the nation’s most coveted recruits coming out of Lee’s Summit North High School near Kansas City, Missouri. But the talented pass rusher appeared in only four games as a freshman, making two tackles and a sack as the Tigers went 9-3 and qualified for the Music City Bowl.