Brendan Sorsby could find himself at a crossroads once he completes rehab for gambling addiction.
There are currently several layers to this case, the most significant being his eligibility at Texas Tech for the upcoming 2026 season, with the NCAA currently investigating whether he bet on the outcome of games while on Indiana’s 2022 roster.
Although he ended up redshirting, he saw action in one game. His time on Indiana’s roster generated the most intrigue from members of the NCAA compliance office. Besides the fact that he also allegedly bet on professional sports, including baseball and UFC, we have seen an increase in gambling cases involving college athletes recently.
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Brendan Sorsby of the Cincinnati Bearcats fights during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas on November 29, 2025. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The main focus of the NCAA investigation, aside from his betting on professional sports, was the prevalence of his gambling during his time at Indiana and Cincinnati.
In speaking with multiple sources regarding the ongoing investigation, which Texas Tech officials were made aware of earlier this month, there is a strong belief that he would be declared ineligible for the upcoming season.
What happens if the NCAA proves he played on his own team?
For Sorsby, he would have the option to sue for an injunction, in hopes that a local judge in Texas overturns an NCAA decision.
But given that the NCAA has a pretty strong stance on the game and the rules are clearly spelled out, getting an injunction seems like a tough road.
This is obviously different from an eligibility lawsuit we’ve seen filed in recent years that the NCAA would fight its hardest to win.
In 2023, the NCAA implemented guidelines that punish athletes caught playing in their own school or other school sports with a permanent loss of eligibility.
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Brendan Sorsby of the Cincinnati Bearcats laughs during warmups before their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 1, 2025. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
But the investigation into Brendan Sorsby would likely have to include an interview with the quarterback, which cannot happen while he is currently in a rehabilitation center.
So the NCAA should wait to question the Texas Tech quarterback, and he doesn’t have to talk if his lawyers believe he won’t win a case outside of a courtroom.
Given that Texas Tech has set aside a large sum of money for Sorsby’s services, I find it hard to believe that they wouldn’t fight the NCAA if they deemed him ineligible for the upcoming season.
According to sources, the Red Raiders were expected to pay him more than $6 million for the duration of his stay in Lubbock.
Could Sorsby enter the NFL Supplemental Draft?
It would certainly be something his team would look into if the NCAA declared him ineligible, especially if it lost in a Texas court if the quarterback decided to sue to remain on Texas Tech’s roster.
For the past two years, the NFL supplemental draft that takes place in July has been a dud. But, given the current lack of options for athletes who may not be in the top spot at their particular university or who are facing a loss of eligibility, the draft could be a recognized landing spot.
There was essentially a case study.
In 2011, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor faced a five-game suspension by the NCAA for his role in tattoo gate, which ultimately cost head coach Jim Tressel his job.
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Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is hugged by coach Jim Tressel and Ellen Tressel after the 2010 Rose Bowl against Oregon in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2010. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sports-USA TODAY Sports)
So instead of facing the NCAA suspension, Pryor was able to participate in the supplemental draft, but still had to serve his suspension at the NFL level after being drafted by the Oakland Raiders.
It was Commissioner Roger Goodell who issued the suspension, which Pryor did not appeal. In the situation Sorsby decides to try, it would be up to the NFL to agree to let him put his name on it, which it could also refuse.
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This obviously could be the route that Brendan Sorsby decides to take, if things continue to cause him to lose his right to play at Texas Tech.
We’ll find out soon enough, as the investigation into the quarterback continues.
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