Texas Tech football news: Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility denied by NCAA

Texas Tech landed one of the best quarterbacks in the transfer portal this offseason when Cincinnati signal-caller Brendan Sorsby committed to come to Lubbock. However, that future was quickly clouded with doubt when he was forced away from the team due to a gambling scandal that had him in rehab.

Sorsby has completed his 35-day rehab program, but his eligibility for the 2026 season is still up in the air. The NCAA denied Sorsby’s request for reinstatement on Tuesday, forcing him to go to court to become eligible to play this fall, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“Sources: The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s request for reinstatement for eligibility for the 2026 season,” Thamel reported on X, formerly Twitter. “Sorsby has completed his 35-day in-patient rehab for his gambling addiction at Algamus in Goodyear, Arizona.”

Sorsby has a court date set for June 1 where he will apply for eligibility to play this fall. If that is also denied, he will be able to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft and go pro next season.

The former Cincinnati star had the chance to go pro after a solid season with the Bearcats in 2025, but he opted to return to college thanks to a big NIL package from Texas Tech. Sorsby would have had a chance to go on Day 2 thanks to his great athleticism and arm strength.

If Sorsby is unable to suit up for Texas Tech this fall, Will Hammond will likely get the starting job. Hammond filled in at times for starter Behren Morton during the 2025 season, but he is coming off of a torn ACL. Hammond is supposed to be ready to play in August, so he should be good to go for Week 1 if needed.

Last season, Sorsby threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns with just five interceptions during a very efficient campaign.

While the gambling may be behind Sorsby, whether it will cost him his last season of college football is still very much up in the air.