Brendan Sorsby decided to continue his college football career at Texas Tech, not LSU. The top-ranked player in the transfer portal (whatever that means) supposedly chose the Red Raiders because of their facilities and definitely not the NIL money.
His girlfriend also transferred to the university that just so happens to be in his home state, which helps.
This commitment is one of the biggest dominoes to fall in college football. It was not cheap!
Brendan Sorsby committed to Texas Tech after his visit to LSU.
Sorsby, who will have one final season of eligibility remaining, has thrown for 7,208 yards and 60 touchdowns during his four-year career even though he attempted only six passes as a freshman.
The former three-star prospect started with a redshirt at Indiana in 2022 and started seven games for the Hoosiers in 2023. He later transferred to Cincinnati to start all of the last 24 games over the last two seasons.
Sorsby’s legs are just as much of a weapon as his arms. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he ran for 1,295 yards and 18 touchdowns in the last two years with the Bearcats.
His duel-threat ability made him the most sought-after quarterback in the transfer portal as a rising redshirt senior in 2026. It seemed inevitable that he would end up at Texas Tech once his girlfriend, a college volleyball player, committed to the university out of the transfer portal.
However, Brendan Sorsby also decided to check things out in Baton Rouge.
Perhaps it was a smoke screen to avoid any potential tampering charges. Maybe he was actually going to give Lane Kiffin (who has since moved on to Sam Leavitt) the time of day.
Either way, Sorsby got on a private jet directly from Lubbock to Louisiana, checked things out at LSU, and then committed to Texas Tech. In that order.
NIL money or college football facilities?
Billionaire Cody Campbell is the top booster for the Red Raiders. He also runs the Matador Club, their top NIL arm. Brendan Sorsby called him and another notable alumnus directly to break the news.
“He just called me and Patrick Mahomes to tell us he’s coming to win a natty,” he told Pete Nakos
Campbell was fired up.
“Let’s goooo! Texas Tech got a taste this year, want more, and are building a dynasty. We are hungrier and more committed than ever before!
“Each Texas Tech player will be surrounded and supported by an elite cast of teammates, a sound culture and program, a solid and stable coaching staff, the best facilities in the country, and the most passionate and committed fan base in America!”
Notice the mention of facilities. Pete Thamel also mentioned the facilities.
Sorsby’s decision to go to Texas Tech comes after the Red Raiders’ aggression in the transfer portal led to the school’s first-ever Big 12 title. Sorsby was blown away by Texas Tech’s facilities and appreciated the culture set there by the coaching staff.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 5, 2026
Texas Tech recently took college football fans on a POV drone tour of its multi-million dollar facility. There is no doubt that it is pretty sweet.
No one is doing it bigger or better.
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) September 12, 2025
Fly with us through the largest contiguous football facility in the country.@RedRaiderClub x #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/NiRWn34Izj
I have no doubt that the facilities played a small role in Sorsby’s decision. NIL money definitely helped.
The Red Raiders vowed to never get out-bid in recruiting. They will reportedly pay their new quarterback up to $5 million for the 2026 season. That’s one of the most expensive (if not the most expensive) single-year agreement in college football history so, clearly, the uncertainty in Venezuela is not having an impact on finances. And, obviously, it worked.
Facilities? Maybe. $5 million? Definitely.