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Brendan Sorsby eligibility: Texas Tech president pledges to appeal NCAA decision

Byington mugby: Alex Byington05/26/26_AlexByington

The NCAA formally denied Texas Tech‘s request for the reinstatement of quarterback Brendan Sorsby‘s collegiate eligibility on Tuesday amid an ongoing investigation into his admitted sports gambling addiction. But that’s not stopping the Red Raiders’ brass from backing their star QB.

Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec penned a letter to the Red Raiders community on Tuesday pronouncing the program’s full support of Sorsby, including a plan to appeal the NCAA decision. Along with the pending appeal, Sorsby has a June 1 court date in Lubbock County District Court to resolve a temporary injunction request against the NCAA enforcing its eligibility ruling.

“Recently, the NCAA issued an initial ruling that Brendan is permanently ineligible to compete. Texas Tech will be appealing that decision. We believe that given the facts and the context of Brendan’s case, the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified,” Schovanec’s statement read. “As a generation of college athletes face the legalization and rapid proliferation of sports betting in our country, gambling addiction is rising to the point of epidemic among college-aged men in particular. … Gambling addiction is a clinically recognized behavioral disorder, as defined in the DSM-5.”

Last week, Sorsby completed a 35-day inpatient stay at a rehab clinic in Goodyear, Ariz., to address his self-admitted gambling addiction, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Having cleared that hurdle, Sorsby and his high-powered legal team filed a lawsuit last week against the NCAA, citing the potential harm losing his eligibility would have on the Texas Tech QB’s mental health. If granted, the injunction would allow him to play the 2026 college football season while the NCAA’s usually lengthy investigation process plays out.

Texas Tech formally declared its star transfer QB ineligible on May 18 after finalizing an agreed-upon stipulation of facts with the NCAA and Sorsby’s legal team, and maintains that “Texas Tech’s primary focus remains supporting Sorsby’s health and well-being.” It’s that focus on Sorsby’s well-being and continued development and recovery in Lubbock that is ultimately at the root of the program’s unwavering support.

“The NCAA bylaws governing Brendan’s case have not adapted to the era of widespread legalized sports betting that this generation of college athletes now has to navigate. He is not the first college athlete to face gambling addiction, and unfortunately, he will not be the last,” Schovanec’s statement continued. “… Given that Brendan has taken accountability for his addiction and actions, a brave act in any circumstance, but especially under the intense scrutiny of a national spotlight, we believe that the best path forward for him is on campus, among his teammates, embraced by the strength of this community.”

Schovanec’s letter also details how the school will continue to provide Sorsby with the necessary structure his recovery requires. That includes “ongoing outpatient clinical care; participation in group and individual therapy; mentor resources; treatment for his related anxiety disorder; active monitoring of his technological devices; installation of software to block betting sites from his devices; the appointment of a custodian to oversee his personal finances; and periodic compliance checks.”

“This is not a symbolic commitment,” Schovanec’s statement read, adding the school’s nationally-recognized Center for Students in Addiction Recovery (CSAR) program. “Each element reflects our conviction, and Brendan’s, that nothing matters more right now than his continued recovery. It is our duty to provide that support and that is support we are uniquely well-positioned to provide.”