Brendan Sorsby may find himself at a crossroads as he finishes his time in rehab for a gambling addiction.
There are currently several layers to this case, the most important of which is his eligibility at Texas Tech for the upcoming 2026 season, with the NCAA currently investigating whether he placed bets on the outcome of games while on the Indiana roster in 2022.
Although he ended up redshirting, he did see action in one game. His time on the Indiana roster has drawn the most intrigue of those in the NCAA compliance office. In addition to the fact that he is also alleged to have bet on professional sports, which include baseball and the UFC, we have seen a recent increase in gambling cases involving college athletes.
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Brendan Sorsby of the Cincinnati Bearcats fights in the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 29, 2025. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The main point of the NCAA’s investigation, in addition to his betting on professional sports, was how widespread his gambling was during his time at Indiana and Cincinnati.
Speaking to multiple sources about the ongoing investigation, which Texas Tech officials were made aware of earlier this month, there is a strong belief that he would be ruled ineligible for the upcoming season.
What happens if the NCAA proves he played on his own team?
For Sorsby, there would be the option for him to file a lawsuit seeking a ban in hopes that a local Texas judge will overturn an NCAA ruling.
But given that the NCAA has a pretty strong stance on gambling and the rules are clearly stated, getting an injunction seems like a tough road to take.
This is obviously different than an eligibility case that we’ve seen filed over the past few years, and one that the NCAA would fight hard to win.
In 2023, the NCAA instituted guidelines punishing athletes caught playing at their own school or other sports at their school 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 Nov. 1, 2025. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
But the investigation into Brendan Sorsby will likely have to include an interview with the quarterback, which cannot happen while he is currently in a rehabilitation center.
So the NCAA would have to wait to question the Texas Tech quarterback, and he is not required to speak if his lawyers feel he would not win a case outside of a courtroom.
Given that Texas Tech has earmarked a large amount of money for Sorsby’s services, I have a hard time believing they wouldn’t fight the NCAA should they rule him ineligible for the upcoming season.
According to sources, the Red Raiders were set to pay him upwards of $6 million for the duration of his time in Lubbock.
Could Sorsby get into the NFL supplemental draft?
This would certainly be something his team would look into if the NCAA were to declare him ineligible, especially if he were to lose in a Texas court if the quarterback decided to sue to remain on the Texas Tech roster.
Over the past two years, the NFL supplemental draft, which takes place in July, has been a dud. But throw in the current lack of options for athletes who may not be in the best spot at their particular college or who face a loss of eligibility, the draft could be a received landing spot.
There has essentially been a case study.
In 2011, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor faced a five-game suspension by the NCAA for his role in ‘tattoo gate’ that ended up costing head coach Jim Tressel his job.
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Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is embraced by coach Jim Tressel and Ellen Tressel after the 2010 Rose Bowl against Oregon in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2010. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports)
So instead of facing the NCAA suspension, Pryor was able to enter the supplemental draft but still had to serve his suspension at the NFL level after being drafted by the Oakland Raiders.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was the one who imposed 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 enter his name, which they could also decline.
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This could obviously be the path Brendan Sorsby decides to take if things continue to trend towards him losing his eligibility to play at Texas Tech.
We’ll find out soon enough as the investigation into the quarterback continues.
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