Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby to pursue NFL supplemental draft amid eligibility dispute
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby will apply for the NFL supplemental draft, ending a legal battle over his college eligibility after NCAA gambling violations.
Texas Tech announced that quarterback Brendan Sorsby will seek entry into the NFL supplemental draft, a move that concludes a protracted legal dispute over his eligibility to play for the Red Raiders. The decision follows a Lubbox County judge’s injunction allowing Sorsby to remain on the roster despite the NCAA deeming him permanently ineligible for multiple gambling violations, including betting on his own team while at Indiana.
Cody Campbell, chair of the Texas Tech Board of Regents, wrote to fans that the university will continue to provide support and recovery resources for Sorsby and will not seek repayment of the roughly $1 million he earned through name-image-likeness agreements. “This decision was made with Brendan and his family, and is purely an output of practical analysis of the situation,” Campbell said, adding that the June 22 deadline for the supplemental draft left no viable path to resolve the pending lawsuits and secure his college eligibility.
University president Lawrence Schovanec and athletic director Kirby Hocutt also emphasized that the school’s priority is Sorsby’s health and wellness, pledging to extend all available resources during his transition. Sorsby thanked his family, coaches and teammates in an Instagram post, stating his commitment to personal growth on and off the field.
The supplemental draft, typically used for players who lose eligibility late in the season, requires applicants to be approved by the NFL. The deadline to apply is June 22, and the league has not commented on Sorsby’s case. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, indicated that the state lawsuit against the NCAA will be withdrawn, making Sorsby ineligible for college play and thus eligible for the draft.
With Sorsby’s departure, Texas Tech will turn to senior quarterback Will Hammond, who is recovering from an ACL injury, as its starter for the upcoming season. Head coach Joey McGuire expressed confidence in Hammond’s readiness, noting his competitive nature and the support of his teammates.
Sorsby, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound quarterback who was once projected as a potential first-round pick in a normal draft year, now faces an uncertain professional outlook. While his talent could attract interest from quarterback-needy NFL teams, his off-field issues and lack of recent competition at the Power-Five level may affect his draft position.
