Reports: NCAA denies Texas Tech's appeal for Brendan Sorsby's eligibility

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th June, 02:48 2026

Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through warmups before the spring football game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Texas Tech's appeal to have quarterback Brendan Sorsby's eligibility restored was denied by the NCAA on Friday, according to multiple media reports.

Sorsby was one of the most coveted quarterbacks in this year's transfer portal class after he left Cincinnati. He entered a treatment program for a gambling addiction on April 27.

He was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after admitting to gambling on college football games, among other sports. NCAA policy prohibits college athletes from betting on any sports it holds competitions for, professional or collegiate.

The reported denial of the appeal is separate from Sorsby's lawsuit against the NCAA, which had its first court date Monday when Lubbock County (Texas) District Court Judge Ken Curry heard arguments from attorneys representing Sorsby and the NCAA.

Curry has not yet shared his decision on the case, which could result in Sorsby receiving a temporary injunction to allow him to play while the case continues or could see the NCAA's ineligibility decision upheld by the legal system.

Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, requested a ruling by June 15. The quarterback has until June 22 to declare for the NFL's supplemental draft should he be ruled ineligible at the collegiate level.

After Sorsby's initial eligibility request was denied by the NCAA last month upon the conclusion of his rehabilitation program, multiple media outlets reported that court documents filed by Sorsby's legal team showed he placed at least 40 bets on the Indiana football team while playing for the Hoosiers in 2022 and '23.

In all, the filings demonstrate that Sorsby wagered about $90,000 through a variety of sportsbook accounts registered to friends and a family member over a four-year period.

Sorsby, ESPN's No. 1-ranked transfer in this year's class, threw for 5,613 yards, 45 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over the past two seasons at Cincinnati. He also ran for 1,027 yards and 18 touchdowns in 24 games.

In 2025, the Bearcats started 7-1 but lost their final five games.

Texas Tech won its first-ever Big 12 championship last season and made the College Football Playoff as the No. 4 seed, dropping its quarterfinal matchup vs. No. 5 Oregon 23-0.

--Field Level Media