Brendan Sorsby is headed for the NFL Supplemental Draft, bringing an abrupt end to his short stay at Texas Tech, while a wider legal clash between the school, the NCAA and the Big 12 continues to unfold.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Sorsby wrote: “I am grateful for the support from my family, my Tech coaching staff, teammates, the community, and so many others who have encouraged me to address and learn more about this important issue.”
Sorsby said. ‘”As my journey continues, I remain fully committed to and focused on being the best I can be, both on and off the field.” The quarterback did not directly address the Big 12’s lawsuit or the allegations detailed in the conference’s complaint, instead focusing on those who supported him during the controversy and his plans moving forward.
His departure arrives only days after the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech University, the Texas Tech University System and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Through that filing, conference leaders asked a court to confirm that the league can punish member schools under its bylaws when their conduct is viewed as conflicting with conference interests and values.
This follows Texas Tech’s previous plan to use Sorsby during the 2026 season despite questions surrounding his eligibility. Court filings cited by the conference describe an extensive history of sports wagering during Sorsby’s time at Indiana and later Cincinnati.
“The Big 12 has long spoken out about the dangers of sports wagering by student-athletes and remains committed to protecting the competitive integrity of conference competition. Universities should not field players who have bet on their own team’s games in college athletics.”
According to the complaint, Sorsby admitted placing thousands of bets while enrolled at those schools. The filing claims he made at least 40 wagers involving Indiana football games while on the team, wagered heavily on other college sports and was involved in betting activity totaling at least $90,000. The conference also alleges he transferred more than $60,000 to another person to place bets on his behalf and says some of that activity may have violated laws in multiple states.
“Universities should not field players who have bet on their own team’s games in college athletics,” the Big 12 Board of Directors said in a statement issued after the lawsuit was filed.
Big 12 Conference files lawsuit over Brendan Sorsby as he enters NFL Draft
The legal fight intensified after a Texas judge issued an injunction that prevented the NCAA from enforcing eligibility restrictions against Sorsby while separate litigation moves forward. The ruling was widely viewed as a significant victory for Texas Tech, which argued that the quarterback should be allowed to play as the case proceeds.
The Big 12, however, has maintained that NCAA eligibility and conference governance are separate matters. In its lawsuit, the conference argues that even if a player is cleared to participate under a court order, the league still has independent authority to examine whether sanctions against a member institution are appropriate.
Court documents indicate Texas Tech informed the conference it intended to play Sorsby, prompting concerns among other member schools. The filing says some institutions wanted the board to consider penalties that could include financial sanctions or limits tied to participation in the conference championship game.
The conference further argues that its members have “no interest in being required to endorse or even appearing to endorse unethical and indeed unlawful conduct that strikes at the heart of athletic integrity.”
Texas Tech has pushed back against the conference’s position and warned against attempts to impose sanctions while the underlying litigation remains unresolved.
With Sorsby now leaving for the Supplemental Draft, the immediate eligibility controversy appears to be over. The court battle, though, remains active as the Big 12 seeks judicial confirmation of the powers it says are necessary to protect confidence in conference competition.
Featured image: Brendan Sorsby via Instagram
The post Brendan Sorsby leaves Texas Tech as Big 12 legal fight continues appeared first on ReadWrite.
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