The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s reinstatement request to be eligible for the 2026 season, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the news.
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According to Thamel’s reporting, Sorsby’s court date is still set for Monday in Lubbock County after he filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking eligibility.
Sorsby took a leave of absence from Texas Tech last month to enter a treatment program for a gambling addiction.
Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said in a letter published on Tuesday that Sorsby will return to campus this week after he completed an inpatient treatment program for a diagnosed gambling addiction and anxiety disorder.
“We believe that given the facts and the context of Brendan’s case, the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified,” said in the letter. “As a generation of college athletes face the legalization and rapid proliferation of sports betting in our country, gambling addiction is rising to the point of epidemic among college aged men in particular. The NCAA’s stated mission includes ‘fostering [student-athletes’] lifelong well-being’, and they have claimed their goal is to promote a ‘culture of care’ for student athletes’ mental health. Gambling addiction is a clinically recognized behavioral disorder.”.
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Under the NCAA’s gambling policy, student-athletes are not allowed to make bets on college or professional sports. Any student-athlete found in violation of the league’s sports betting rules may be subject to permanent loss of all remaining eligibility, as well as their athletic scholarship. This applies to student-athletes who bet on their own games or on other sports at their schools.
According to a previous report from Thamel, Sorsby bet on Indiana football during the 2022 season, but only for the Hoosiers to win and not in any games in which Sorsby appeared. Sorsby only appeared in one game for Indiana that season.
After two seasons at Cincinnati, Sorsby signed a name, image and likeness deal with Tech worth $6 million, a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Dallas Morning News in February.
Sorsby, a Lake Dallas product, was one of the top-ranked players in the transfer portal last winter after posting 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns last season at Cincinnati. He chose to sign with Texas Tech over an offer from LSU.
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Following his transfer, Cincinnati filed a lawsuit against Sorsby that states the university is owed a buyout payment and that his move to Texas Tech breached his contract with the school, according to court documents obtained by The News. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Sorsby’s attorneys filed a motion to have the Cincinnati lawsuit dismissed. Sorsby’s lawyers are reportedly arguing that the lawsuit is invalid under Ohio law.
Sorsby retained the legal services of Jeffrey Kessler to try and regain his eligibility, according to previous reporting from ESPN. Kessler is well known for his work in several notable cases, including the landmark House settlement in 2025.
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