A Quarterback’s Fall: The Brendan Sorsby Case

Brendan Sorsby, who transferred to Texas Tech for the 2026 season, will not play for the Red Raiders after a series of events involving admitted gambling violations, a lawsuit against the NCAA, a temporary court-ordered reinstatement, and a subsequent denial of entry into the NFL's supplemental draft. The case has ended with Sorsby ineligible for college football and without a path to the NFL for 2026.

Gambling Activities and NCAA Investigation

Court documents and NCAA filings revealed that Sorsby engaged in extensive gambling while a student-athlete at Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati.

Bets Placed While at Indiana (2022-2023)

• Number of Bets: Over 8,600 impermissible bets totaling over $30,000.
• Bets on Indiana Football: At least 40 bets totaling at least $850. These wagers were placed between September 2, 2022, and October 22, 2022, while Sorsby was a member of the Hoosiers. Sorsby did not play in any of the games he bet on.
• Bets on Indiana Men's Basketball: At least 40 bets totaling over $1,400.
• Other College Football Bets: Approximately 300 bets on other college football games totaling at least $6,500.

Bets Placed While at Cincinnati (2023-2024)

• Number of Bets: Over 500 impermissible bets totaling at least $38,000.
• Bets on Cincinnati: One wager on Cincinnati men's basketball for $3,500.

Total Gambling Activity

• Over 9,000 bets totaling at least $90,000 were placed over the course of his college career.
• Sorsby used accounts in his own name, as well as accounts in the names of family members and friends, on platforms including Hard Rock Bet, FanDuel, Underdog, and PrizePicks.
• He transferred at least $60,000 to two friends to fund wagers. After transferring to Texas Tech, he transferred approximately $5,000 to a friend who placed bets on professional sports via prediction market apps.

NCAA Investigation

The NCAA was tipped off by an online sportsbook that had been approached by law enforcement. The specific law enforcement entity was not identified in court documents.

Sorsby is under investigation by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The Indiana Gaming Commission withheld documents related to Sorsby, citing a state law shielding law enforcement investigatory records.

According to Sorsby's statements, he claimed he never bet on games in which he played and never manipulated game integrity. He stated he was unaware of specific bets placed on accounts associated with him, including a bet on an "under" for Indiana passing yards in October 2022 and an "under" for Indiana's first-half points in September 2023.

Sorsby described his betting as a compulsion and addiction, stating it became a habit. He estimated he lost more than he won.

University Response and Treatment

• In late April 2025, Texas Tech University announced that Sorsby was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the football program to enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction.
• The school stated it was committed to supporting Sorsby through his recovery but provided no timetable for his return.
• Sorsby completed the residential treatment program for gambling addiction and an anxiety disorder. He announced his graduation from the program in May 2025, stating he accepts responsibility for his behavior and intends to return to Texas Tech, pending NCAA approval.

NCAA Ruling and Legal Challenge

NCAA's Eligibility Determination

The NCAA deemed Sorsby permanently ineligible for violating its gambling rules, which include a stipulation for permanent ineligibility for betting on one's own team. The NCAA denied a reinstatement request from Texas Tech. The school planned to appeal.

Sorsby's Lawsuit

Sorsby filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Lubbock County, Texas, seeking an injunction to restore his eligibility for the 2026 season.

His lawsuit argued that the NCAA's position was "deeply hypocritical" and that the delay in a final decision created an impossible choice between retaining college eligibility and risking a full year of football. A hearing was set for June 1, 2025, before Judge Ken Curry of the 99th District Court in Lubbock County.

Temporary Injunction

On June 9, 2025, Judge Ken Curry issued a temporary injunction restoring Sorsby's NCAA eligibility.

The ruling included conditions:

• Sorsby was required to miss the first two games of the 2026 season (against Abilene Christian and Oregon State)
• Continue gambling counseling
• Participate in a program like Gamblers Anonymous
• File monthly compliance reports to the NCAA

The judge's order stated that Sorsby would suffer "a probable, imminent and irreparable injury" if unable to play and that he had shown a probable right to relief on claims including breach of contract and breach of duty.

Reactions and Fallout

Institutional Reactions to the Ruling

NCAA: The NCAA stated it "strongly disagrees with the court's ruling" and appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh District of Texas. NCAA President Charlie Baker called the ruling a "new low" and suggested it could create momentum for a congressional antitrust exemption.

Big 12 Conference: Commissioner Brett Yormark expressed concern about the ruling's potential impact. The conference filed a federal lawsuit seeking the ability to sanction Texas Tech if Sorsby played. The Big 12 also filed a court challenge to the injunction.

Other Universities: Georgia and Nebraska publicly stated they would not schedule Texas Tech in any sport. Kansas State Athletic Director Gene Taylor called the ruling "absolutely devastating." The Big Ten discussed but did not implement a conference-wide ban on scheduling Texas Tech.

Texas Tech: The university did not file or fund Sorsby's lawsuit but supported his appeal. Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt issued a statement defending the university's support for Sorsby, noting the support structure put in place. Texas Tech also threatened legal action against the Big 12 if it imposed sanctions.

Sorsby's Withdrawal from Texas Tech

• On June 15, 2026, Texas Tech University informed Sorsby that it would not permit him to play for the football team during the 2026-27 season.
• The same day, the Big 12 and the NCAA filed court challenges to the temporary injunction.
• Sorsby announced he would apply for the NFL supplemental draft and withdraw his lawsuit.

Attempt at NFL Entry

Supplemental Draft Application

Sorsby applied for the NFL's supplemental draft. The deadline for applications was June 22, 2026. He scheduled a Pro Day for July 10, 2026, in Southlake, Texas.

NFL Denial

The NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft in 2026, denying Sorsby's application.

The league cited integrity concerns, the late timing of the petition (filed three business days before the deadline without full supporting documentation), and Sorsby's reported conduct, including repeated violations of NCAA gambling rules and possible state criminal law violations.

The NFL's letter stated it retained sole discretion over the supplemental draft and had no plans to hold one for 2026.

Reactions to NFL Decision

• Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said the decision was "an unlawful act in violation of the CBA" and indicated the matter would be brought to the NFLPA.
• The NFLPA stated it was still gathering information and had not determined whether to act.
• The NFL recommended Sorsby prepare for the standard 2027 NFL Draft.

Legal and Financial Resolution

• Sorsby's lawsuit against the NCAA was dismissed with prejudice on June 18, 2026, restoring the NCAA's permanent ineligibility ruling.
• Texas Tech stated it would not seek repayment of NIL money paid to Sorsby, reported to be around $1 million.
• The University of Cincinnati had a separate lawsuit against Sorsby seeking a $1 million buyout for an alleged breach of a revenue-sharing agreement. Sorsby's attorney reported over $1 million in attorney fees and loss of NIL deals.
• A UFL owner invited Sorsby to join the spring league.