Brendan Sorsby is in fear of losing his eligibility for the 2026 college football season due to the ongoing sports betting scandal surrounding him. The situation has been a major disappointment for both the quarterback and Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders were expected to have a highly successful 2026 season after bringing him into the program.
Where Texas Tech Stands on the Brendan Sorsby Gambling Investigation
There is still no clear timeline for Sorsby’s treatment, and Texas Tech has not provided any further updates on when or if he could return to the program. As uncertainty continues to surround his future, NFL insider Albert Breer shared fresh insight into the ongoing situation on Friday.
“From having talked to people around it, this is Sorsby’s side lawyering up,” Breer wrote. “The Texas Tech people have lawyered up. I think what this is and what the presence of Jeffrey Kessler is about is trying to accelerate a decision from the NCAA on this and trying to see if there’s a way to allow him to play college football in 2026.
“I think he wants to play college football. Texas Tech obviously wants him there. So this is about to me Jeffrey Kessler and an all-star legal team going to the NCAA and seeing if there is any settlement to be had where it’s a three-game suspension, it’s a six-game suspension, whatever it is, is there some path to Brendan Sorsby playing college football in 2026?”
Sorsby has secured one of the most respected and powerful antitrust and labor attorneys in the sports world by bringing in Kessler. Kessler is known for leading major legal battles against the NCAA, including the landmark case that ultimately pushed the organization toward revenue sharing. With spring practices now over and the summer period approaching, Sorsby’s legal team is reportedly working aggressively to negotiate some form of compromise with the NCAA that could preserve his eligibility for the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, Sorsby has taken an immediate indefinite leave of absence from the Texas Tech program to seek treatment. Much of the legal battle is expected to play out in Lubbock’s district court, while Texas Tech has also retained legal representation as it continues to stand behind the quarterback. That support is understandable considering Sorsby’s strong on-field production last season with Cincinnati, where he had an 88.2 grade in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric.
Texas Tech’s continued backing of Sorsby is also tied to the program’s expectations entering the 2026 season. The school is viewed as a big contender for the Big 12 title and also made a significant financial investment to bring the quarterback to Lubbock in the first place. However, if Sorsby is ultimately ruled ineligible for the upcoming season, quarterback Kirk Francis is expected to step into the starting role for the Red Raiders.
As for Sorsby’s long-term future, if the NCAA refuses to provide a pathway for him to return to college football in 2026, he may ultimately have little choice but to declare for the NFL Supplemental Draft.
