iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility is in serious doubt amid an offseason gambling investigation. The Texas Tech transfer may be subject to NCAA punishment.
The Red Raiders are attempting to get ahead of the situation after the initial discovery of potential wrongdoing. Others are wondering how the information got out in the first place.
News broke on Monday that Sorsby was checking into a gambling addiction rehab program. That decision aligned with the uncovering of alleged online bets.
More from ESPN:
Sorsby’s decision to seek treatment, according to sources, came in the wake of the discovery of Sorsby making thousands of online bets on a variety of sports via a gambling app, which jeopardizes his eligibility with Texas Tech.
The NCAA is investigating Sorsby’s gambling, according to sources, as the organization forbids athletes from betting on both college and pro sports.
It hasn’t been made immediately clear how the information was attained. There is, however, a timeline on his history.
Brendan Sorsby’s gambling dates back to Indiana.
The quarterback signed with the Hoosiers as a three-star prospect in 2022. He spent two seasons in the program, throwing for 1,595 yards and 15 scores.
In 2024, he transferred to Cincinnati, where he developed into one of the nation’s top signal callers. Across two years, he totaled more than 5,600 yards passing and another 1,000 rushing.
He buoyed that production into a major transfer portal payday.
Sorsby left Cincy in 2026 to sign with a new school. Texas Tech won a bidding war against LSU and was expected to pay upwards of $5 million for one season of play.
That season is now in question. Will Brendan Sorsby suit up for the Red Raiders in his final year? And if not, who is responsible?
Cincinnati knew about Sorsby’s gambling.
Matt Hayes of USA Today said the Bearcats were alerted before the 2025 season, his second with the program. Cincinnati did not bench its quarterback despite the intel.
Hayes confirmed ESPN’s reporting that the gambling began at Indiana during his freshman year. Since, Sorsby’s activity has involved a variety of different sports with little risk.
Sorsby began placing bets in 2022 while playing for Indiana, two people told USA TODAY Sports. He bet on Indiana to win in 2022, but not in the only game he played during his freshman season. He since has moved to an inordinate number of bets — mostly small, $1 bets — on various sports at various times.
That prior knowledge could open Cincinnati up to NCAA scrutiny, according to Hayes. It also makes the Bearcats enemy number one in Lubbock.
Here were a few replies to the story on social media.
“Would bet anything Cincinnati is behind all of this, too.”
“They 1000 percent snitched.”
The timing is interesting, for sure. Cincinnati allegedly knew in 2025 and did nothing. A year later, after their starting quarterback had been pried away by a Big 12 rival, the issue was made public.
Coincidence? Maybe. Suspicious? Certainly.
Hayes also notes that the Big 12 uses an app, ProhiBet, to track gambling activity of players. Maybe Sorsby’s activity got flagged after leaving Cincinnati. That, again, would seem odd given he spent two seasons on campus and has only been at Texas Tech a few months. But it’s possible.
Further fueling the speculation is the fact that Cincinnati is suing Texas Tech over Brendan Sorsby’s transfer. They want a $1 million buyout. The case is still pending.
Sports gambling has impacted eligibility of players in both college football and basketball. The NCAA has hardened its stance on betting.
The quarterback spurned the NFL Draft despite a first-round grade. Now, his future at Texas Tech is up in the air. Who is responsible? That depends on who you ask.
The correct response is Sorsby, who jeopardized his final season on a series of $1 bets.