The NCAA denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby‘s request to reinstate his eligibility for the 2026 season on Tuesday over a gambling investigation, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Thamel added that Sorsby recently completed a 35-day stay at an Arizona rehab facility for his gambling addiction and has returned to Texas Tech’s campus.
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A looming June 1 court date in Lubbock County will be the likely deciding factor into whether or not Sorsby will enter the NFL Supplemental Draft later in the month, as Sorsby has a lawsuit pending against the NCAA that will be addressed during that court date.
The school shared on Tuesday it will appeal the NCAA’s denial of Sorsby’s eligibility, even if USA TODAY speculates that Sorsby being reinstated for the 2026 season may be a “long shot.”
“NCAA sports betting protocols from 2023 state that if student-athletes bet on the outcomes of their own games or knowingly provide information to individuals involved in sports betting activities, they will potentially face permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports,” USA TODAY‘s John Leuzzi and John Brice wrote.
The Sorsby decision will have major ramifications across both college football and the NFL.
If he’s reinstated, he will be a major boost to Texas Tech’s College Football Playoff chances.
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If he’s not, the NFL may hold its most consequential Supplemental Draft in ages later in the summer, as Sorsby has franchise quarterback potential.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What’s next for Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech after NCAA denied 2026 reinstatement?
