Former Texas Tech college football star Brendan Sorsby has backed down from his plans to challenge the NCAA in court and will now focus on his potential NFL debut. The athlete was implicated in a high-profile gambling probe, leading to his suspension for the 2026 season. This development could allow him to get proper help for his addiction problems, hopefully giving him a fresh start in the 2027 NFL draft.
Several Setbacks Prevented Sorsby from Playing in 2026
Sorsby became infamous after an investigation found that he had wagered roughly $90,000 on sports events. The NCAA quickly suspended him after uncovering that the athlete had placed bets for his own team. Sorsby initially attempted to challenge the NCAA’s decision in court, a decision that met with initial success before the NCAA and the Big 12 rallied against him and Texas Tech.
Sorsby has now dropped his legal challenge and will be pursuing the NFL draft in 2027. The athlete initially had high hopes for the NFL Supplemental Draft, which allows eligible athletes to join teams outside the normal schedule. However, the League shot down that option after announcing that it was not planning a Supplemental Draft for the 2026 season.
Despite these setbacks, Sorsby could still salvage his career. The NFL confirmed that it would not punish Sorsby for his prior known misconduct and encouraged him to prepare for the 2027 draft. However, the League may still pursue its own investigations and will take Sorsby’s past into account if the athlete ever veers off the straight path again.
His Career May Still Get Back on Track
The decisions by the NCAA and the NFL mean that Sorsby now effectively faces a one-year suspension from professional football. This may not necessarily be a bad development, as it would give him time to resolve any lingering issues. Sorsby has joined a gambling addiction treatment program and should hopefully join next year’s trials in top shape.
The young athlete has accepted full responsibility for his actions and has vowed to prepare himself thoroughly for the 2027 draft. Sorsby noted that getting caught was actually good for him, as the outcome now leaves him free to focus on his career and combat his addiction. However, his tale should serve as a warning to other athletes.
I accept 100% responsibility for my actions. I am fully committed to being the best version of myself that I can be for the 2027 draft.
Brendan Sorsby
Sports integrity has been a persistent problem for the NCAA, especially given the rapid developments in the industry. The league has identified prediction markets and college prop bets as some of the newest threats. According to the NCAA, such offerings often threaten the safety and integrity of college athletes. However, regulatory challenges have led the league to double down on education programs and strict punishments for offending players.