Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
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Brendan Sorsby Drops NCAA Lawsuit, Ending College Football Career Over Gambling
Brendan Sorsby has withdrawn his lawsuit against the NCAA, making the Texas Tech quarterback ineligible for college play and ending his career due to gambling violations. The move allows Sorsby to pursue the NFL's supplemental draft, with workouts planned for July 10 and the submission deadline approaching Monday.
Quick Facts
Who
Brendan Sorsby
What
Dropped lawsuit against NCAA
When
June 8 (temporary injunction issued)
Where
Texas Tech
- Dropped lawsuit against NCAA
- Became ineligible for college football
- Admitted to placing thousands of impermissible bets
- Received temporary injunction on June 8
- Faced two-game suspension
Brendan Sorsby has dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA, a decision that renders the Texas Tech quarterback ineligible to play and effectively ends his college football career. The motion for dismissal was filed Thursday in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, three days after Texas Tech announced he would not play this fall and exactly one month after Sorsby initiated the legal action that created significant turmoil in college sports.
Sorsby's case centered on his admission to placing thousands of impermissible bets while in college, including at least 40 wagers on Indiana games during his freshman year in 2022, totaling at least $90,000 across his time at Indiana, Cincinnati, and Texas Tech. A temporary injunction issued by Judge Ken Curry on June 8 had initially allowed Sorsby to remain eligible despite the NCAA's ineligibility ruling, though he faced a mandatory two-game suspension under the injunction's terms.
The strategic withdrawal from the lawsuit reflects Sorsby's pivot toward the NFL. To qualify for the NFL's supplemental draft—a rarely used pathway—Sorsby needed to be ineligible for NCAA play. With the supplemental draft submission deadline set for Monday and planned NFL team workouts scheduled for July 10, Sorsby chose to pursue professional opportunities rather than continue fighting his college eligibility status.
Cody Campbell, the billionaire booster and chairman of Texas Tech's board of regents, announced Monday night in an open letter that Sorsby would not participate in the team's 2026 season. Campbell stated the decision was made jointly with Sorsby and his family, citing the approaching draft deadline and the ongoing legal complexities as key factors. The case had prompted separate court filings by both the NCAA and the Big 12 Conference, adding layers of uncertainty to Sorsby's playing status for any potential remaining games.
Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech in January following two seasons at Cincinnati, joining the reigning Big 12 champion program. His departure represents a notable moment in the evolving landscape of college athletics, where gambling violations and legal challenges have become increasingly prominent concerns.
Why This Matters
This case highlights the intersection of gambling enforcement and athlete rights in modern college sports. Sorsby's decision to withdraw his lawsuit and pursue the NFL pathway sets a precedent for how athletes facing eligibility issues may strategically navigate between NCAA regulations and professional opportunities. For college football stakeholders, it underscores the NCAA's strengthened enforcement of gambling rules and the legal complexities that can arise when institutional decisions collide with court interventions—a growing concern as gambling violations become more prominent in collegiate athletics.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2022
WireSorsby's freshman year at Indiana; placed at least 40 bets on Indiana games
Jun 8, 2026
WireJudge Ken Curry issued temporary injunction making Sorsby eligible to play
Jul 10, 2026
WirePlanned NFL team workouts for Sorsby