NCAA Rules Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Permanently Ineligible

The NCAA has denied a reinstatement request from Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby and ruled him permanently ineligible for the 2026 college football season. The association said Sorsby placed bets on Indiana football games in 2022 while a member of that program, a violation of NCAA gambling rules.

The NCAA concluded wagering on college games breached its policies and identified betting on one’s own team as among the most serious violations. The decision bars Sorsby from competing next season. The NCAA also pointed to recent enforcement activity and new transparency measures aimed at addressing the impact of sports betting on college athletics.

Sorsby has completed residential treatment for a diagnosed gambling addiction and an anxiety disorder and is continuing outpatient care. In a social-media post, he wrote, “For the first time in many years I feel more free and no longer fully at the mercy of my addiction,” and apologized to those affected. He wrote that he hopes to return to campus in Lubbock with support from coaches, teammates and the university.

Texas Tech announced it will appeal the ruling. University president Lawrence Schovanec wrote that the school believes the NCAA’s decision should be reversed or modified given the facts and context of the case. Schovanec outlined a recovery and monitoring plan the university would keep in place if Sorsby returns to campus, including outpatient care, therapy, financial oversight, device monitoring and software to block betting sites. He urged the NCAA to consider the student-athlete’s well-being in its reinstatement process.

Sorsby has filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary injunction that would restore his eligibility while the legal challenge proceeds. The complaint acknowledges thousands of wagers but contends he did not bet on games in which he played and did not participate in fixing any contests. The filing argues the punishment is excessive given his addiction, treatment and the monitoring measures Texas Tech proposes.

The NCAA and Texas Tech now are pursuing separate paths: the association enforcing its betting rules to address integrity concerns, and the university seeking reconsideration based on Sorsby’s treatment and proposed safeguards. The outcome of the appeal and the court challenge will determine whether Sorsby can play while the larger debate over college athletes and legalized sports betting continues to evolve.