Brendan Sorsby's eligibility in question amid NCAA investigation

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby‘s eligibility for the 2026 season is now in jeopardy as the NCAA investigates him for sports gambling.

Sorsby is entering a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction, the school announced Monday. The NCAA is investigating Sorsby, as it does not allow athletes to bet on college or pro sports. Doing so can threaten a player’s eligibility.

On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed that Sorsby placed bets on Indiana as a true freshman for the Hoosiers in 2022, a season in which he played in one game. Sorsby did not place bets on the game he played in. Sorsby also attended Cincinnati Reds games on repeated occasions and placed live wagers on balls and strikes, sources told Nakos. The bets ranged anywhere from $2.50 to less than $1 per pitch.

According to NCAA guidelines released in 2023, players who “wager on their own games or on other sports at their own schools” will “potentially face permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports.” That also applies if an athlete engages in activities that influence the outcome of their own games or knowingly provide information to individuals involved in sports betting.

If a player bets on their own sport at another school, the player could lose 50% of one season of eligibility. The player must also receive education on sports wagering rules and prevention in that case.

The guidelines further state that cumulative wagers greater than $800 could lead to the loss of 30% of a season of eligibility. For cumulative wagers that “greatly exceed $800,” NCAA staff is supposed to consider “whether additional loss of eligibility, including permanent ineligibility, are appropriate.”

Sorsby spent two seasons at Indiana. He then transferred to Cincinnati, where he became a two-year starter. As a redshirt junior last season, Sorsby threw for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions. He added 580 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on the ground. Sorsby was considered one of the top players in the transfer portal this offseason.

“Due to confidentiality rules put in place by NCAA member schools, the NCAA will not comment on current, pending or potential investigations,” the NCAA said in a statement. “However, the NCAA takes sports betting very seriously and is committed to the protection of student-athlete well-being and the integrity of competition. The Association works with integrity monitoring services, state regulators and other stakeholders to conduct appropriate due diligence whenever reports are received.”