LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – On Monday, Texas Tech Athletics and QB Brendan Sorsby announced he would be taking an immediate leave from the program to enter a residential program to treat his gambling addiction.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the NCAA informed Texas Tech on April 14 that it received tips about Sorsby gambling and making bets. NCAA student-athletes are strictly prohibited from betting on any sport in which the NCAA holds a championship, covering both professional and college sports.
Texas Tech then spoke with its own counsel, which told Sorsby the NCAA wanted to speak with him about a “rules violation.”
After he was told, Sorsby and his own legal counsel, along with his agent, went forward with the NCAA. According to the source, Sorsby’s attorney has spoken with the NCAA but it’s unknown if the transfer QB himself has been questioned by the NCAA.
Texas Tech was surprised about the situation, the source said. Texas Tech conducts compliance and academic checks. Sorsby cleared to become a Red Raider.
According to the source, Texas Tech is not under investigation by the NCAA.
In 2023, the Big 12 Conference partnered with U.S. Integrity to monitor sports wagering to play a role in preventing student-athletes, coaches and any staff member in athletic departments from illegal betting.
Texas Tech is subscribed to ProhiBet, which tracks sports betting within its athletic department with great detail, alerting of any prohibited activity done by an employee or student-athlete. According to the source, Texas Tech had not received any ProhiBet alert linked to Sorsby since he arrived in Lubbock.
The source said Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire and the coaching staff spoke with the team about Sorsby’s leave of absence before the news broke.
If the NCAA rules him as ineligible, Sorsby could file an injunction and play before his case is heard in court. He could also file a direct appeal with the NCAA or declare for the NFL Draft next year or the NFL Supplemental Draft this summer.
According to the source, Sorsby’s treatment, which is not paid by Texas Tech, is expected to be around 30 days at an out-of-state facility.
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