NCAA rules on Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility for 2026, report says

The collegiate future of quarterback Brendan Sorsby remains in limbo. According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the NCAA has officially denied Sorsby’s request for eligibility for the 2026 season.

The Path to Ineligibility

Sorsby’s status came into question after an investigation into his gambling activities surfaced. The findings revealed that the signal-caller placed thousands of bets through an online app, including a wager involving his own team during his freshman season at Indiana in 2022. Following these revelations, Sorsby voluntarily enrolled in a treatment program for gambling addiction and sought reinstatement through the NCAA.

Legal Battles and Next Steps

Proactively addressing the potential for a negative ruling, Sorsby filed for a temporary injunction last week, with a court date slated for June 1. His legal team is arguing that his gambling history should be classified as a mental health condition, which they believe warrants an exemption from typical disciplinary action.

The situation carries significant weight for Texas Tech, who reportedly secured Sorsby's services via the transfer portal this past January with a deal valued at approximately $5 million. Across 34 career appearances at Indiana and Cincinnati, Sorsby has recorded 7,208 passing yards and 60 touchdowns.

If the court does not grant the requested relief, Sorsby is expected to pursue a path to the NFL via the supplemental draft this summer. However, it remains uncertain how the league—which maintains strict policies regarding player gambling—might handle his situation. According to Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger, Texas Tech plans to appeal the NCAA's decision, as reported by 205focus.com.