A scandal that shook the Red Raiders
Brendan Sorsby, the Texas Tech quarterback who entered the program last winter, now faces a potential ban from the NCAA after an investigation uncovered a pattern of illegal sports wagering that spans multiple states.
Court filings and internal NCAA documents show that Sorsby placed at least 2,900 separate wagers while he was a student at Indiana, with a total monetary value exceeding $30,000. In addition, roughly 40 of those bets were on Indiana football games during his freshman year in 2022, and another 300 wagers targeted college football contests unrelated to his former school.
The NCAA learned of the activity after an online gambling platform tipped off law enforcement, prompting a deeper audit of Sorsby's betting history. The audit revealed that he continued to place bets after transferring to Cincinnati, using accounts that were not registered in his own name.
Treatment and current status
Between late December 2023 and June 2025, Sorsby funneled more than $60,000 to a friend who deposited the money into a FanDuel account held by his brother‑in‑law. More recently, since joining Texas Tech, he has sent roughly $5,000 through Venmo and Zelle to third parties who placed bets on his behalf.
After the university announced that Sorsby would take an indefinite leave to enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction, he completed a 35‑day stint in rehab and is now close to returning to campus for offseason workouts.
Legal fight ahead
Sorsby has filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary injunction that would restore his eligibility while he appeals the NCAA's May 22 denial of his reinstatement request. Texas Tech submitted a reinstatement petition on May 19, only to have the governing body reject it two days later, prompting the school to file an appeal.
The outcome of the appeal will not only determine Sorsby's immediate future but also set a precedent for how the NCAA handles similar gambling violations among student‑athletes. As the case moves forward, the Red Raiders must navigate both the sporting and legal ramifications of a scandal that has drawn national attention.