Texas Tech declared quarterback Brendan Sorsby ineligible for competition in a statement released Monday.
“After finalizing an agreed-upon stipulation of facts between Texas Tech University, the NCAA and Brendan Sorsby, the University has declared Sorsby ineligible for competition,” the university’s statement reads. “Texas Tech intends to quickly initiate the reinstatement process.
“Texas Tech’s primary focus remains supporting Sorsby’s health and well-being.”
The statement from Texas Tech comes after Sorsby reportedly filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking eligibility for the 2026 season. ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the news.
Sorsby took a leave of absence from Texas Tech last month to enter a treatment program for a gambling addiction.
According to a report from ESPN, Sorsby made “thousands of online bets on a variety of sports via a gambling app.”
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 own 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 during the 2022 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.
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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