Texas Tech Make Unexpected Brendan Sorsby Decision After $5 Million Move
The Texas Tech Red Raiders wrapped up the 2026 transfer cycle by landing one of the most coveted players in college football, bringing in quarterback Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati as their projected starter.
Sorsby arrived from the Bearcats as the No. 2 overall transfer portal prospect, coming off a 2025 season where he threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns against just five interceptions while adding nine rushing scores.
According to reports following his transfer, Sorsby signed a NIL deal "around $5 million," making him one of the highest-paid players in college football. Per On3, Sorsby currently has a $3.1 million NIL valuation.
The Red Raiders' plan to ride with Sorsby, however, took a turn on Monday as Texas Tech announced the signal caller will take an immediate, indefinite leave of absence from the program.
According to the school's release, per On3, Sorsby will enter a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction, with no timetable provided for his return.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire addressed the situation in a statement following the announcement.
"We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help," McGuire said. "Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.
"Texas Tech's primary focus remains on fostering an environment where student-athletes feel empowered to prioritize their mental health and seek professional assistance," the statement read. "To protect the integrity of the recovery process, Texas Tech will have no further comment on Brendan's status or treatment progress at this time. We kindly ask the media and the public to respect the privacy of Brendan and his family."
Wow, Texas Tech announced QB Brendan Sorsby is entering a program for gambling addiction. pic.twitter.com/gr6Hl85VyK
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) April 27, 2026
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, it was Sorsby's decision to leave the program for the time being, and it follows an investigation into his betting activity online.
"Sorsby's decision to seek treatment for gambling addiction, 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 Red Raiders open the season on Sept. 5 against Abilene Christian.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 1:30 PM.