Texas Court of Appeals to review NCAA eligibility case involving Texas Tech player
The NCAA's loss in a district court ruling that allowed player Brendan Sorsby to remain eligible will be examined by the Seventh District Court of Appeals, where all four judges are alumni of Texas Tech Law School.
The case concerning Texas Tech football player Brendan Sorsby, whose eligibility was temporarily restored by a district court ruling, will move to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh District of Texas. The appellate panel consists of judges Judy Parker, Lawrence Doss, Alex Yarbrough and Laura Pratt, each of whom graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law.
Because of their alma mater connection, any of the judges could choose to recuse themselves, in which case standard procedures would appoint replacements. The appeal will consider whether the district court’s preliminary relief, issued by Judge Ken Curry without detailed factual or legal findings, should be upheld.
The NCAA seeks to overturn the decision, while Texas Tech and Sorsby aim to maintain the player’s eligibility pending further litigation. The outcome will determine whether Sorsby can participate in the 2026 season and may influence broader discussions about NCAA governance and antitrust issues.
