The Big 12’s federal lawsuit against Texas Tech is finally over, officially withdrawn by the conference. This move, reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, wraps up months of legal drama surrounding Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility quest and finally lets both the league and the Red Raiders move forward from a chaotic situation.
The Long Road to Ineligibility
This withdrawal isn’t some shocker, especially since Sorsby’s collegiate career hit the wall back in June after a wild back-and-forth. The whole mess started brewing in April when Sorsby sought treatment for a gambling problem. Turns out, he made thousands of bets while in college, including some on Indiana when he was actually on the team. He even admitted in a documentary, “I couldn’t watch sporting activities without wanting to have something at stake, wanting to have some skin on the game.” He went on to say that even at Tech, making more money than ever, he still gambled, “Just chasing a dopamine hit, and that’s where you lose yourself.”
Those admissions kicked off an NCAA investigation, which then ruled Sorsby ineligible for Texas Tech. But hold up, because in June, a judge actually granted him an injunction, which meant he *was* going to play this season! That’s when the Big 12 stepped in, filing their own federal lawsuit in June, trying to get a judgment and injunctive relief to block him. Ultimately, Texas Tech reversed course anyway and decided Sorsby wouldn’t play this season. What a ride, right?
What’s Next for Sorsby and the Red Raiders
After Texas Tech’s decision, Sorsby tried to get into the NFL’s Supplemental Draft, but his request got denied. So now, he’s just waiting it out for the 2027 NFL Draft. The guy had serious talent, throwing for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only five interceptions with Cincinnati in 2025. Those are legitimate NFL candidate numbers! But now, a year away from the game and dealing with the fallout from this gambling scandal, there are definitely a ton of questions about his future.
Meanwhile, the Red Raiders opened their season strong without Sorsby, rolling to a 33-10 win over Abilene Christian. Starting quarterback Will Hammond looked solid, going 26-of-33 for 298 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Texas Tech is set to take on Oregon State next Saturday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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