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Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Declares for NFL Supplemental Draft, Ending Eligibility Dispute
Brendan Sorsby, the 22‑year‑old quarterback who transferred to Texas Tech for the 2026 season, has declared that he will enter the National Football League’s supplemental draft, effectively ending a protracted dispute over his NCAA eligibility. The announcement, made on Thursday, signals that Sorsby will not play for the Red Raiders in 2026 and will instead pursue a professional career outside the traditional draft window.
The decision follows a temporary injunction issued by a Texas judge on June 8 that would have permitted Sorsby to take the field for Texas Tech. However, a cascade of legal actions by the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA overturned that brief reprieve, closing the door on any possibility of reinstatement for the upcoming season.
Sorsby’s eligibility fight began after he admitted to placing more than 9,000 sports‑betting wagers, totaling at least $90,000, while he was a student‑athlete at Indiana University. The bets, which included dozens on Indiana football games, were deemed a violation of NCAA rules that prohibit student‑athletes from betting on college or professional sports. The NCAA subsequently ruled Sorsby ineligible for the 2026 season.
The university and the player filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement, and a Lubbock court granted a temporary injunction that would have allowed him to play. The injunction was later challenged by the Big 12, which filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech and the Texas attorney general, alleging that the university had failed to enforce the NCAA’s gambling policy.
According to reports, the Big 12’s lawsuit and the NCAA’s continued enforcement created a legal environment in which Texas Tech could not safely field Sorsby. The university’s board of regents chair said that the supplemental draft was the only viable and fair path for the player. Texas Tech also stated that it would not seek repayment of the name‑image‑likeness compensation that Sorsby had earned during his brief stint with the program.
Sorsby’s attorney said the player would drop his NCAA lawsuit and focus on preparing for the supplemental draft. The quarterback, who spent 35 days in an inpatient treatment program for gambling addiction, said he was concentrating on his future “on and off the field.” The decision was confirmed by CBS Sports and ESPN, which reported that Sorsby would not play for Texas Tech in 2026.
The move has implications beyond Texas Tech. The Big 12 presidents are scheduled to meet to discuss potential sanctions against the university if it were to allow Sorsby to play. The NCAA’s ruling on May 27 upheld the player’s ban, and the court’s June 8 injunction was effectively nullified by the conference’s legal action.
The case has drawn attention to the NCAA’s sports‑betting policy, which prohibits student‑athletes from betting on college or professional sports. The policy allows for penalties ranging from loss of eligibility to loss of scholarships, and the NCAA has indicated that it may consider medical conditions in future enforcement. Sorsby’s entry into the supplemental draft is the first time a college player has opted for that route after a gambling controversy. The supplemental draft allows teams to select players who are not eligible for the regular draft, but it does not guarantee a contract. The NFL’s supplemental draft is held in the spring, and teams may trade future draft picks to acquire a player. The decision also raises questions about the role of collegiate sports betting education and the effectiveness of current monitoring systems for institutions.
The decision leaves several questions unresolved. Texas Tech’s future roster moves and the Big 12’s potential sanctions remain pending. The NCAA’s policy on gambling may be revised in response to the case. Sorsby’s status in the NFL draft and his recovery from addiction are also uncertain. The league will monitor the situation as the supplemental draft approaches.
The decision follows a temporary injunction issued by a Texas judge on June 8 that would have permitted Sorsby to take the field for Texas Tech. However, a cascade of legal actions by the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA overturned that brief reprieve, closing the door on any possibility of reinstatement for the upcoming season.
Sorsby’s eligibility fight began after he admitted to placing more than 9,000 sports‑betting wagers, totaling at least $90,000, while he was a student‑athlete at Indiana University. The bets, which included dozens on Indiana football games, were deemed a violation of NCAA rules that prohibit student‑athletes from betting on college or professional sports. The NCAA subsequently ruled Sorsby ineligible for the 2026 season.
The university and the player filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement, and a Lubbock court granted a temporary injunction that would have allowed him to play. The injunction was later challenged by the Big 12, which filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech and the Texas attorney general, alleging that the university had failed to enforce the NCAA’s gambling policy.
According to reports, the Big 12’s lawsuit and the NCAA’s continued enforcement created a legal environment in which Texas Tech could not safely field Sorsby. The university’s board of regents chair said that the supplemental draft was the only viable and fair path for the player. Texas Tech also stated that it would not seek repayment of the name‑image‑likeness compensation that Sorsby had earned during his brief stint with the program.
Sorsby’s attorney said the player would drop his NCAA lawsuit and focus on preparing for the supplemental draft. The quarterback, who spent 35 days in an inpatient treatment program for gambling addiction, said he was concentrating on his future “on and off the field.” The decision was confirmed by CBS Sports and ESPN, which reported that Sorsby would not play for Texas Tech in 2026.
The move has implications beyond Texas Tech. The Big 12 presidents are scheduled to meet to discuss potential sanctions against the university if it were to allow Sorsby to play. The NCAA’s ruling on May 27 upheld the player’s ban, and the court’s June 8 injunction was effectively nullified by the conference’s legal action.
The case has drawn attention to the NCAA’s sports‑betting policy, which prohibits student‑athletes from betting on college or professional sports. The policy allows for penalties ranging from loss of eligibility to loss of scholarships, and the NCAA has indicated that it may consider medical conditions in future enforcement. Sorsby’s entry into the supplemental draft is the first time a college player has opted for that route after a gambling controversy. The supplemental draft allows teams to select players who are not eligible for the regular draft, but it does not guarantee a contract. The NFL’s supplemental draft is held in the spring, and teams may trade future draft picks to acquire a player. The decision also raises questions about the role of collegiate sports betting education and the effectiveness of current monitoring systems for institutions.
The decision leaves several questions unresolved. Texas Tech’s future roster moves and the Big 12’s potential sanctions remain pending. The NCAA’s policy on gambling may be revised in response to the case. Sorsby’s status in the NFL draft and his recovery from addiction are also uncertain. The league will monitor the situation as the supplemental draft approaches.
