Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby granted temporary injunction to play in 2026 season

A Texas state judge issued a temporary injunction on Monday that permits Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby to participate in the Red Raiders’ 2026 football season, despite the NCAA’s prior ruling that made him permanently ineligible for gambling violations. Under the order, Sorsby will sit out the first two games against Abilene Christian and Oregon State but will be cleared to play beginning with the September 18 Big 12 matchup against Houston.

The NCAA, which barred Sorsby after an investigation revealed he had placed bets on his own team while at Indiana, said it will file an appeal within days. > "The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court’s ruling in this case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome — which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports," the association said in a statement.

Judge Ken Curry of the 99th District Court in Lubbock County ruled that Sorsby would suffer a probable, imminent and irreparable injury if he were prevented from playing, citing loss of coaching, camaraderie and skill development. The order requires Sorsby to continue gambling-addiction counseling, participate in a program such as Gamblers Anonymous, and submit monthly compliance reports to the NCAA.

Sorsby, 22, admitted to wagering about $90,000 on more than 9,000 bets during his college career, including at least 40 bets on Indiana football in 2022. He has been diagnosed with a gambling and anxiety disorder and recently completed a residential treatment program. His legal team, led by sports-labor attorney Jeffrey Kessler, argued that Sorsby never bet on games in which he played and that the NCAA’s sanction effectively punishes him for a mental-health condition. > "The only evidence here is that this is a legitimate mental illness and must be treated and recognized as such," Kessler said in court.

The NCAA maintains that betting on one’s own sport violates its rules and threatens competitive integrity, noting that no other major American sports league has allowed an athlete to compete after betting on his own games. The association also cited additional bets Sorsby placed on Indiana and Cincinnati basketball programs, which under 2023 NCAA betting guidelines could result in loss of eligibility.

The injunction gives Sorsby a chance to return to college football this fall while the NCAA pursues an appeal. The case adds to a series of recent court decisions that have limited the NCAA’s ability to enforce certain eligibility rules.