Since Brendan Sorsby admitted to placing sports bets, including wagers involving his own team during his freshman season at Indiana in 2022, the situation has drawn significant attention and criticism. However, Texas Tech has continued to stand behind its quarterback, hoping he can still lead the program during the 2026 season.
Reactions to Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec’s Letter on Brendan Sorsby
Sorsby filed for an injunction against the NCAA last week in hopes of becoming eligible to play for Texas Tech after transferring from the Cincinnati Bearcats during the offseason. However, the NCAA has rejected his request to regain eligibility for the 2026 season, while a court hearing tied to his lawsuit against the organization is scheduled for next week.
Following the ruling, Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec released a letter to the university community confirming that the school plans to appeal the NCAA’s decision regarding Sorsby’s eligibility tied to sports betting allegations.
The announcement quickly sparked strong reactions across college football media circles.
“College coaches and the NCAA get a ton of blame for why things are the way they are, but let’s be real, college presidents are the NO. 1 reason why we are where we are …. this is a PERFECT example. If Sorsby was a 3rd-string QB or a walk on they would not be fighting this, at all. Disgusting,” Bryan Driskell, the owner of the Irish Breakdown, wrote.
“Lol,” the Irish Sports Daily’s Matt Freeman wrote.
“Again – it needs to be noted that a UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT whipped this bad boy up. Incredible,” Cyclone Fanatic’s Chris Williams wrote.
In his statement, Schovanec said that NCAA bylaws tied to Sorsby’s situation have failed to keep pace with the widespread legalization of sports betting that modern college athletes now face. He also said that because Sorsby has accepted responsibility for both his actions and gambling addiction, Texas Tech believes the quarterback’s best opportunity moving forward is to remain on campus surrounded by teammates and the university community.
Sorsby recently completed a 35-day inpatient rehabilitation program for gambling addiction and is expected to return to campus soon. At this point, the NFL Supplemental Draft in July appears to be the most realistic path for him. If he enters, he would become the highest-profile quarterback prospect to participate in the supplemental draft since Terrelle Pryor in 2011.
Yahoo Sports reporter Jori Epstein reported this week that she asked Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the possibility of the NFL holding a supplemental draft for Sorsby. Although Jones said he was unfamiliar with the full details of Sorsby’s case, he expressed support for the concept overall.
“Especially where we are,” Jones said. “The sooner to today that we can get as many good ones on the field, that’s a plus for us. Cause I’m in that mood.”
Sorsby finished last season with an 88.2 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric, ranking No. 10 in the nation.
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