Texas Tech faces growing backlash after court restores Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility

Texas Tech is facing growing resistance from athletic programs across the country after a court ruling temporarily restored quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility despite an NCAA ban tied to sports-betting violations.

A judge granted Sorsby a temporary injunction Monday, allowing the fifth-year quarterback to compete during the 2026 season while his legal challenge against the NCAA moves forward. The decision immediately sparked criticism from athletic administrators and has prompted some schools to reconsider their relationships with Texas Tech.

According to reports, Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks instructed staff not to schedule contests against Texas Tech in any sport “until further notice.” Nebraska reportedly followed with similar guidance, directing coaches to avoid arranging new matchups with the Red Raiders and to review existing agreements.

The fallout may extend even further. Athletic directors within the Big 12 Conference have reportedly discussed the possibility of refusing to play Texas Tech in football during the 2026 season, while broader conversations about coordinated action have emerged among schools in other major conferences.

At the center of the controversy is Sorsby’s gambling history. The quarterback was declared permanently ineligible after admitting to placing thousands of sports wagers, including more than 40 bets involving Indiana football games while he played for the Hoosiers in 2022. Court documents state the wagers ranged from $5 to $50 and were placed on Indiana to win or on teammates to perform well.

“To be clear, I never placed any bets ‘against’ Indiana or against any players on the team,” Sorsby said in an affidavit. “I never used any non-public information that I knew about the team in deciding what bets to place.”

Sorsby, who later transferred to Texas Tech after a season at Cincinnati in which he threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions, has also been undergoing residential treatment for a clinically diagnosed gambling disorder.

“In retrospect, by the end of my freshman year at Indiana, I was truly addicted to gambling,” Sorsby said in court filings. “I began placing hundreds of bets on anything and everything, including non-major doubles tennis tournaments and the Major League Baseball draft.”

His legal team argued that continued ineligibility would cause “irreparable harm” to both his recovery and football career. The lawsuit further accused the NCAA of profiting from the broader sports-gambling environment while penalizing athletes struggling with gambling addiction.

“The NCAA has weaponized his condition to shore up a facade of competitive integrity, while simultaneously profiting from the very gambling ecosystem it polices,” the filing stated.

The NCAA has appealed the ruling and maintains that its position is necessary to preserve fair competition.

“The Association’s sports betting rules are clear, as are the reinstatement conditions,” the NCAA said in a statement. “When it comes to betting on one’s own team, these rules must be enforced in every case for the simple reason that the integrity of the game is at risk.”

Texas Tech officials welcomed the court’s decision. Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt voiced support for Sorsby’s return, while head coach Joey McGuire reiterated the program’s focus on the quarterback’s well-being.

“We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” McGuire said. “Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person.”

Under the court order, Sorsby will miss the first two games of the 2026 season but will otherwise be eligible to play while the case proceeds. Following the ruling, Sorsby expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return.

“I’m very grateful for the endless support I have received throughout this entire process,” he said. “I am also grateful for the chance to rejoin my teammates.”