NCAA Upholds Sorsby’s Gambling-Related Eligibility Ban
Posted on: May 27, 2026, 12:50h.
Last updated on: May 27, 2026, 12:52h.
- Sorsby looking to get NCAA eligibility reinstated after gambling-related suspension
- Texas Tech quarterback suing NCAA to overturn gambling suspension, in court Monday
- If court action fails, Sorsby could enter NFL Supplemental Draft in July, or even look at a move to the Canadian Football League
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, under investigation for gambling activity, has lost his appeal to be reinstated by the NCAA after being stripped of his eligibility, which now puts the NFL Supplemental Draft more squarely in his sights.
Texas Tech Appealing Decision
The NCAA announced yesterday they were denying Sorsby’s request. Sorsby wants to go back to Texas Tech, as they prep for the upcoming college football season.
Under NCAA sports wagering rules, student-athletes are prohibited from betting on pro and college sports. They face the possibility of permanent loss of eligibility if the individual is found to have wagered on their own team or on other sports at their own school.
Texas Tech has stood behind their quarterback and is appealing the NCAA decision.
“As a generation of college athletes face the legalization and rapid proliferation of sports betting in our country, gambling addiction is rising to the point of epidemic among college aged men in particular,” said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec, reported by ESPN. “The NCAA’s stated mission includes ‘fostering [student-athletes’] lifelong well-being,’ and they have claimed their goal is to promote a ‘culture of care’ for student athletes’ mental health. Gambling addiction is a clinically recognized behavioral disorder.”
NFL Supplemental Draft
Sorsby, at 6-foot-3, is among a wave of talented quarterbacks entering the Big 12, with at least ten of those teams expected to start new quarterbacks.
Sorsby had a strong season last year at Cincinnati, throwing for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, before transferring to Texas Tech. He was named to the 2025 All-Big 12 Second Team.
With his arm strength and size, and pro football potential, many were projecting Sorsby to lead Texas Tech back to the playoffs this season.
Next up on the Sorsby front is a court appearance Monday. On May 18 he filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking to restore his college eligibility for the 2026 college football season. His lawyers reportedly asked for a two-game suspension, which the NCAA denied.
Legitimate Pro Prospect
In the court documents, Sorsby admitted to placing thousands of bets on a variety of sports, including bets on Indiana football games in 2022 when he was a redshirt freshman there.
He maintained that he never bet on any game he played in, nor did his wagers ever compromise the integrity of the sport, adding his bets on the Hoosiers were strictly placed on the team to win or on his teammates to excel, framing the wagers as a coping mechanism to feel connected to a squad he wasn’t actively playing for.
The NFL Supplemental Draft, held in July, is another road Sorsby could take. That’s for players whose college eligibility unexpectedly changed during the off-season, but can still get drafted and join the NFL. Bernie Kosar, Josh Gordon, and Terrell Pryor are players who had NFL success after being selected in the Supplemental Draft.
Sorsby has been seen by many as being a potential Top 5 quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft, assuming Sorsby has his NCAA eligibility restored and he plays this upcoming college season at Texas Tech. So while a year early, there are some NFL teams that still might want to take a flyer on him in this July’s Supplemental Draft.
Instagram Post
Sorsby just completed 35-day rehab for his gambling addiction.
On his Instagram, he said he accepted responsibility for his behaviour.
“I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me … for the first time in many years I feel more free and no longer fully at the mercy of my addiction,” he wrote. “I am endlessly grateful to all who have supported me over the last several weeks, especially my family, friends, the experts and staff at Algamus Recovery Services, and the entire Texas Tech community. With the support of my coaches, teammates and the university, I’m looking forward to returning to campus in Lubbock.”
Last Comments ( 1 )
Going to the Jets, they need a QB!