NCAA Denies Brendan Sorsby's Request As NFL Speculation Grows

That NFL opportunity might be getting more attractive by the day for embattled Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby as the NCAA denied his efforts to get a quick resolution to his reinstatement.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the NCAA denied Sorsby's request to be reinstated after being ruled ineligible over gambling reports. Sorsby still intends to fight the ruling and is due in Lubbock County court early next week. He will reportedly return to the campus now that he's completed his in-patient rehab for gambling addiction.

"Sources: The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's request for reinstatement for eligibility for the 2026 season. Sorsby has completed his 35-day in-patient rehab for his gambling addiction at Algamus in Goodyear, Arizona," Thamel wrote.

"He's set to return to campus in the upcoming days. His court date is June 1 in Lubbock County."

NFL Calling?

It's been speculated that if Sorsby can't get reinstated by the end of June that he might just give up on college and enter the NFL Supplemental Draft pool instead. That would allow him to join an NFL roster as early as July rather than play another year in college.

At 22 years of age, he's actually slightly older than last year's No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. So he's at a prime age to begin his NFL development.

Football fans are already predicting that he's going to go the Supplemental Draft option and are starting to have some fun with the idea:

"Get ready to learn supplemental draft buddy," one user joked.

"Throw a second round pick for him in the supplemental draft," another suggested.

"Another step closer to Brendan Sorsby entering the supplemental draft," a third wrote.

"Brendan Sorsby's future is a massive NFL storyline right now. Teams will continue to monitor."

"Get that supplemental draft up and movin. Some lucky team is getting the next Tom Brady."

"We're very close to the biggest supplemental draft in a very long time."

Sorsby has an NFL arm and the prototypical NFL size. While he wasn't exactly Joe Burrow at Cincinnati over the last two seasons, he performed very well with a cast of teammates that aren't predominantly NFL caliber.

Had he played for Texas Tech this season he probably would have ranked among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy or at least lead the team to the College Football Playoff.

Now he's more likely to spend the next six months as a backup or third-stringer in the NFL - if he plays his cards right.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 5:16 PM.