According to many reports, Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has launched a case against the NCAA, asking for eligibility for the 2026 season. ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the story.
The lawsuit follows Sorsby’s decision to take a sabbatical from Texas Tech last month to enroll in a gambling addiction treatment program.
According to a previous article by Thamel, Sorsby placed thousands of online bets on a variety of sports using a betting app. According to Thamel’s report, the NCAA is investigating Sorsby’s betting.
According to the NCAA’s gambling policy, student-athletes are not permitted to wager on collegiate or professional sports. Any student-athlete caught breaking the league’s sports gambling rules may face lifelong revocation of all remaining eligibility and their athletic scholarship. This includes student-athletes who gamble on their own games or other sports at their school.
According to a previous report from Thamel, Sorsby gambled on Indiana football during the 2022 season, but only for the Hoosiers to win and not on any games in which he participated. Sorsby appeared in only one game for Indiana during the 2022 season.
Texas Tech stated in a joint statement with Sorsby last month that the institution is dedicated to assisting Brendan throughout his rehabilitation process and ensuring his long-term health and well-being. Texas Tech stated that it would have no more comment on Sorsby’s situation.
After two seasons at Cincinnati, Sorsby inked a name, picture, and likeness deal worth $6 million with Tech, according to a source familiar with the transaction who spoke with The Dallas Morning News in February.
Sorsby, a Lake Dallas native, was among the highest-rated players in the transfer portal last winter, having accumulated 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns last season at Cincinnati. He decided to join Texas Tech over an offer from LSU.
Following his transfer, Cincinnati filed a lawsuit against Sorsby, claiming that the university is due a buyout payment and that his decision to move to Texas Tech constituted a breach of contract. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Sorsby’s attorneys had filed a motion to dismiss the Cincinnati case. Sorsby’s lawyers are claiming that the case is unenforceable under Ohio law.
According to previous ESPN reports, Sorsby hired attorney Jeffrey Kessler to seek to restore his eligibility. Kessler is well recognized for his participation in a number of high-profile cases, including the breakthrough House settlement in 2025.
