The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s request to regain eligibility for the 2026 college football season, according to On3 reporter Pete Nakos. The decision arrived shortly after Sorsby completed a 35-day inpatient rehabilitation program in Arizona for a gambling addiction, marking a critical turning point in his ongoing case.
Sorsby, a transfer from Cincinnati, is now attempting to challenge the ruling through legal action. He has filed for a temporary injunction that, if granted, would allow him to participate in the 2026 season while the NCAA continues its investigation. His legal team argues that being kept off the field during the process could negatively affect his mental health and create further personal harm.
Sorsby Lawsuit Gains Urgency as NFL Supplemental Draft Deadline Rapidly Approaches
A key hearing on the injunction is scheduled for June 1 in Lubbock County District Court. The timing is significant because it falls ahead of the June 22 deadline for players to declare for the NFL Supplemental Draft. That option has been mentioned as a possible alternative route for Sorsby, although the Supplemental Draft has not seen a player selected since 2019.
The lawsuit, filed earlier this month, is intended to speed up the NCAA’s review of Sorsby’s gambling activity spanning from 2022 to 2025. His legal representation includes Jeffrey Kessler, a well-known antitrust attorney who has previously taken on the NCAA in major cases that reshaped college athletics policy and athlete rights.
Texas Tech initially placed Sorsby on leave in late April after concerns emerged regarding his gambling history. Reports indicate that while he was at Cincinnati, he placed small wagers, including bets tied to Indiana games in 2022. Additional accounts suggest he made repeated micro-bets on baseball events, including live wagers on pitches during Cincinnati Reds games. These bets were reportedly very small in value, sometimes only a few dollars or even less per wager.
Sorsby Faces Eligibility Uncertainty as NCAA Gambling Case Nears Critical Legal Hearing
There has been no indication of a criminal investigation or evidence that Sorsby attempted to influence any sporting outcomes. The activity described appears to involve repeated low-value gambling rather than competitive manipulation.
NCAA rules updated in 2023 state that athletes who attempt to affect game results or bet on their own contests can face permanent ineligibility. However, cases that involve gambling violations without proven impact on competition are often reviewed individually under NCAA discretion.
With the injunction hearing approaching, Sorsby’s eligibility now depends on both the legal system and the NCAA’s internal process. The outcome will determine whether he can return to the field in 2026 or pursue alternative professional options.
