Texas Tech’s attempt to have quarterback Brendan Sorsby reinstated for the 2026 college football season has been denied by the NCAA, according to multiple reports released Friday.
The decision marks another setback for both Sorsby and the Red Raiders as the former Indiana and Cincinnati quarterback continues his fight to regain eligibility following a gambling-related violation.
Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech in January after spending the previous two seasons as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback. Before arriving in Cincinnati, he played at Indiana and was viewed as a major addition for a Texas Tech program with Big 12 championship aspirations.
Why Was Brendan Sorsby Ruled Ineligible?
The NCAA ruled Sorsby ineligible after he acknowledged placing sports wagers, including bets involving his own team while attending Indiana.
The NCAA has maintained strict regulations regarding athlete gambling activities, particularly when wagers involve an athlete’s own program. Those violations led to Sorsby’s loss of eligibility and sparked a lengthy appeals process involving both Texas Tech and the quarterback himself.
Texas Tech formally petitioned the NCAA for reinstatement, arguing that the punishment should be reconsidered. The NCAA denied the school’s original request before Texas Tech submitted an appeal seeking to overturn the decision.
That appeal was officially denied Friday.
Legal Challenge Remains Active
Despite the NCAA’s ruling, the matter is not entirely settled.
Sorsby filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on May 18 seeking a temporary injunction that would allow him to compete during the 2026 season while the broader case proceeds through the court system.
A hearing was held earlier this week in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, Texas. As of Friday evening, a decision had not yet been issued by Judge Ken Curry.
The lawsuit and the NCAA appeals process are separate proceedings. While the NCAA has now exhausted the school’s appeal options, the court could still potentially impact Sorsby’s status depending on its ruling.
Texas Tech Publicly Backed Its Quarterback
Texas Tech leadership has consistently supported Sorsby’s efforts to regain eligibility.
University President Lawrence Schovanec previously stated in a letter to the Texas Tech community that the university believed the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified.
The school officially declared Sorsby ineligible on May 18, a procedural move required before pursuing reinstatement through NCAA channels. Texas Tech submitted its reinstatement request the following day, but that effort was ultimately unsuccessful.
What This Means for Texas Tech
The denial creates significant uncertainty for the Red Raiders heading into the 2026 season.
Sorsby was expected to compete for a major role in Texas Tech’s offense after arriving through the transfer portal. His experience as a Power Four starting quarterback made him one of the most notable additions to the program’s roster.
Until the pending lawsuit receives a ruling, Texas Tech remains in limbo regarding the quarterback position and the overall outlook for its upcoming season.
For now, the NCAA has made its position clear. The next chapter of the case will likely be decided in a Texas courtroom rather than through the association’s appeals process.
