Brendan Sorsby’s gambling probe: Judge to order Texas Tech QB to restore NCAA eligibility

Texas Tech tight end Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility for the 2026 season will be determined in court in Lubbock on Monday. The NCAA was found totally disqualified after allegations of gambling on games involving his team.

Sorsby has filed for an injunction that would allow him to play college football while his case against the NCAA goes to the justice department. His earlier request for reinstatement was denied.

Sorsby has retained several top college athletics attorneys to defend his case. His main lawyer is Jeffrey Kesslerwho is the plaintiff discussed the historic House v. NCAA. His second attorney is Dustin Burrows, who serves as speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

According to court documents, Sorsby admitted to placing hundreds of bets over a four-year period. Records show he sent money to family and friends to bet on him, including after he arrived at Texas Tech. At least 40 bets were introduced to Indiana football while he was a member of the program. According to NCAA rules, players who gamble on their team — or school — are subject to permanent ineligibility.

After the allegations, Sorsby went into a gambling den for several weeks. He was released last week and has spent the last few days at home with family, before returning to Lubbock ahead of the trial.

“I’m proud of Brendan for getting help for his gambling addiction,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “We will continue to support Brendan.”

Lawyer defends gambling addiction

According to court documents, Sorsby’s lawyers say he suffers from a serious mental health condition that should give him the circumstances to justify his actions. In particular, they argue that Sorsby’s gambling addiction and anxiety have affected the NCAA’s relationship with gambling companies.

“The NCAA used his status to promote competitive integrity, while at the same time profiting from its gambling policies,” Sorsby’s legal team wrote.

The NCAA responded earnestly to Sorsby’s request for filing. They say it would be unprecedented for a player to be allowed to participate in game action after gambling on their games, at any level. Sports betting is banned for all major sports. Many players in the NBA and college basketball have faced federal investigations into interfering with games and practices.

Texas Tech is standing firm with Sorsby in the process, as it faces a long process to get back on the field. This week, Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec released a lengthy public letter saying Lubbock would be the best place for Sorsby to help him recover from his addiction, largely because of the university’s addiction center.

McGuire also defended Sorsby in a statement at the Big 12 meetings Thursday. He said Sorsby went home to visit family in the Dallas area, but will soon return to the university.

“I believe that there should be consequences, but it is my opinion that he should not be punished until the end of this year for the rest of his career,” said McGuire. “I think if you look at what’s been released, he’s been open and honest with us, he’s got a serious program, and I think the best place to get help is that he’s at Texas Tech and he can play.”

Sorsby gets his day in court

On Monday, Judge Ken Curry will hear arguments from both sides. However, he will be deciding only one issue: Whether or not to issue an order. He will not have the power to modify or change Sorsby’s punishment from the NCAA.

Granting the order would mean Curry believes there is merit to the lawsuit Sorsby is bringing against the NCAA, and that would permanently damage him from playing. Refusal of the order would mean Sorsby would not receive a playing benefit while continuing the legal process. By the timeline of the case, it would have ended his college career.

Judge Phillip Hays was initially assigned to hear the case. However, the Texas Tech dual graduate eventually withdrew. Instead, the hearing will be presided over by Curry, a Houston law school graduate who officially retired in 2012. However, he often returns to oversee important individual decisions.

Sorsby backup plans

Sorsby is rated as the No. 2 transfer portal and blue-chip quarterback prospect after arriving from Cincinnati. The Red Raiders reportedly made him one of the highest paid players in college football. If he gets one final year of eligibility, Sorsby could shape the Big 12 and national race.

As a junior at Cincinnati, Sorsby completed 62% of his passes for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also added more than 1,000 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

If Sorsby’s eligibility is denied, he could immediately decide to enter the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft. No player has been selected in the draft since 2019, when the Arizona Cardinals selected Jalen Thompson. The draft was held in 2023, but no players were selected.

Texas Tech backup plans

If Sorsby can’t play, the Red Raiders will have a hole at the quarterback position. However, the staff is still very excited about the possibility of quarterback Will Hammond, who is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in October.

McGuire said Hammond is still on a nine-month schedule that could see him return to practice in Aug. 21. To give him time to ramp up, the Red Raiders drafted him back around Week 3, when Texas Tech hosts Houston in a marquee battle.

“If he hadn’t been injured, we wouldn’t be talking about this,” McGuire said. “We wouldn’t have wanted a starter. We would have wanted maybe a deeper piece in that room and the money would have been given to other positions, but he’s in a good spot. I’m really lucky to have Will Hammond.”

Hammond was a blue-chip quarterback from Hutto, Texas, in the Austin area. He put up monster stats and has already impressed in two years in college. The redshirt sophomore came off the bench against No. 16 Utah and threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns as the Red Raiders cruised to a 34-10 victory.

If Hammond is reversed, running back Lloyd Jones III and Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis both have live experience. Texas Tech also signed Stephen Cannon, a three-star prospect from Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia.