Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire has thrown his weight behind quarterback Brendan Sorsby, urging the NCAA to reverse a permanent ineligibility ruling that stemmed from the player’s gambling activities.
Legal Battle and Institutional Response
Sorsby confessed to wagering on Indiana football in 2022 and on basketball contests involving his former university, as well as games at Cincinnati, violating NCAA betting statutes.
The governing body denied his petition for reinstatement, prompting Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec to declare that the university would welcome Sorsby back to campus and pursue an appeal of the NCAA’s decision.
In response, Sorsby has lodged a lawsuit aimed at securing a temporary injunction that would restore his eligibility for the 2026 season; a hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday in Lubbock County district court, where sports labor attorney Jeffrey Kessler will serve as his counsel.
McGuire, while acknowledging that Sorsby must confront the repercussions of his actions, argues that a lifetime ban is disproportionate, stating that the quarterback should be allowed to continue his career after serving an appropriate penalty.
Should the court fail to grant relief, Sorsby may explore the NFL Supplemental Draft, a pathway with a filing deadline of June 22, 2026, potentially shifting his professional prospects beyond college football.