Brendan Sorsby, the Texas Tech quarterback at the center of a high‑profile gambling scandal, has been declared permanently ineligible by the NCAA after an investigation revealed he placed bets on his own team during the 2022 season.
Sorsby, who completed an inpatient treatment program for gambling addiction and an anxiety disorder, has been offered a comprehensive recovery plan by the university that includes outpatient clinical care, therapy and financial monitoring.
Texas Tech Challenges the NCAA's Decision
University officials argue that the NCAA's primary mission is to safeguard the well‑being of student‑athletes, and they contend that the permanent sanction contradicts that purpose. Accordingly, Texas Tech is preparing a legal challenge aimed at securing an injunction that would allow Sorsby to return for the 2026 season.
The appeal hinges on the university's claim that the governing body rejected Sorsby's proposal to accept a two‑game suspension while he continued his treatment, a concession the school believes would align with the association's supportive stance.
If the injunction is denied, the Red Raiders will pivot to Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis as the next option at quarterback, but coach Joey McGuire remains hopeful that Will Hammond will be fully recovered from knee surgery in time for the third game of the upcoming season.
The case underscores a broader debate about how collegiate sports bodies balance disciplinary enforcement with the mental‑health and rehabilitation needs of athletes.