Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, one of college football’s top returning players, will enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction, the university announced Monday (April 27). The move follows the discovery that Sorsby placed thousands of online bets on various sports using a gambling app, which has put his eligibility with Texas Tech in jeopardy.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is now investigating Sorsby’s betting activity, since NCAA rules strictly prohibit athletes from wagering on both college and professional sports. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the bets spanned several years and included wagers on Indiana football while Sorsby was redshirting for the Hoosiers in 2022. Sources say none of those bets were on games in which he played.

Sorsby’s gambling has not attracted law enforcement attention, and there is no evidence that he was involved in attempts to influence the outcome of any games. Instead, reports describe his actions as a steady stream of small bets over time. Texas Tech described Sorsby’s absence as a mental health issue and said he would be given as much time as needed to recover. “We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said in a statement. “Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health."

Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech from Cincinnati this offseason and was ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings. He is considered a potential high-end NFL draft pick for 2027 and was expected to be among the highest-paid college athletes this year, reportedly set to earn more than $5 million. His previous transfer from Cincinnati was controversial, with the school filing a $1 million lawsuit for breach of contract after his departure.

The NCAA’s updated guidelines state that student-athletes who bet on their own teams or other sports at their schools face permanent loss of eligibility. Other gambling violations could result in partial loss of eligibility or even permanent ineligibility, depending on the amount wagered and the circumstances.

With Sorsby’s future uncertain, Texas Tech faces a challenge at the quarterback position. Backup Will Hammond is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in October and is not expected to be ready for the season opener. Coach McGuire previously indicated Hammond’s earliest possible return would be around Week 3.

There is no announced timeline for Sorsby’s return, and his situation will be handled as a confidential mental health matter. The outcome of the NCAA investigation will determine next steps regarding his eligibility and playing future.

Mark Madden