Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Entering Treatment Program for Gambling Addiction Amid NCAA Investigation

By Andy Anders on April 27, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Brendan Sorsby
Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the football program to enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction, the school announced Monday.

Sorsby is being investigated by the NCAA after making thousands of bets via a gambling app, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Per Thamel, Sorsby placed “a steady flurry of small bets over a period of time,” including bets on Indiana football while redshirting for the Hoosiers as a true freshman in 2022, though he did not bet on any games in which he played.

Sorsby spent two years at Indiana before transferring to Cincinnati in 2024 and again to Texas Tech this offseason.

The NCAA prohibits athletes from betting on any sports sponsored by the collegiate athletics association, whether at the college or professional level. Student-athletes who engage in activities to influence the outcomes of their own games for gambling winnings for themselves or others face the permanent loss of eligibility.

Athletes who bet on their own sport, but not for their own team, face a loss of 50% of one season, with education on sports wagering rules and prevention being a condition of reinstatement. Separately, total wagers on any NCAA-sponsored sport exceeding $800 constitute a loss of 30% of one season. 

The NCAA's rules also state that, for betting in great excess of $800 – a threshold Sorsby likely met if he placed thousands of wagers – the NCAA will consider whether to impose further loss of eligibility, including permanent loss of eligibility. Sorsby has one year of eligibility remaining.

Sorsby started his college career with two years at Indiana, where he started in 2023. As Curt Cignetti took over as the Hoosiers' head coach in 2024 and brought in veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Sorsby transferred to Cincinnati and started two more seasons there, throwing for at least 2,800 yards both years. In 2025, he completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,800 yards at a career-high 8.3 yards per pass attempt, with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions. He added 580 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Following his transfer to Texas Tech this offseason, Cincinnati sued Sorsby for a $1 million exit fee they alleged he was contractually obligated to pay within 30 days of transferring. Sorsby, who was ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in 247Sports’ transfer rankings this offseason, filed a motion to dismiss that lawsuit on Monday.

Sorsby reportedly received a multi-million-dollar NIL contract from Texas Tech to transfer to the Red Raiders, who are looking to defend their Big 12 championship and return to the College Football Playoff. Now, however, his college football career is at risk of being over.


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