Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is now eligible to play in the 2026 season following a ruling by a district judge in Lubbock County, Texas. On Monday (June 8), the judge granted Sorsby a temporary injunction against the NCAA, which had previously ruled him ineligible due to his acknowledgment of gambling on sports, including betting on his own team. The court's decision prevents the NCAA from barring Sorsby from participating in Texas Tech's football activities for the 2026 season.

Sorsby, who has been seeking treatment for a gambling addiction, filed for the injunction after the NCAA declared him permanently ineligible. The NCAA prohibits athletes from betting on NCAA-sanctioned sports, and penalties can include permanent ineligibility, especially if athletes wager on their own teams. The NCAA responded to the ruling, stating that it "undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports."

Despite the injunction, Sorsby will sit out the first two games of the season as part of the decision. His legal team, which includes prominent attorneys Jeffrey Kessler and Scott Tompsett, argued that Sorsby's gambling disorder is a mental health condition and that the NCAA's actions were detrimental to his well-being. They claimed that the NCAA profited from the gambling ecosystem while penalizing Sorsby.

The court filings revealed that Sorsby placed thousands of bets, including small wagers on Indiana football, where he previously played. He admitted to betting between $5 and $50 on games but stated that he never used insider information or bet against his team. Sorsby stopped betting in 2022 when he became Indiana's backup quarterback.

Texas Tech has supported Sorsby throughout the process, emphasizing the importance of his health and well-being. The university plans to initiate the reinstatement process while appealing the NCAA's ruling. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire expressed pride in Sorsby for seeking help and stated that the university remains committed to supporting him.

Sorsby, who transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech, is considered one of the top players in college football and is projected to be among the highest-paid players next season. He is also a potential candidate for the 2027 NFL draft. The NCAA's decision on his eligibility remains pending, but the court's ruling allows him to continue his college football career for now.

The Herd with Colin Cowherd