STILLWATER – The news rocked Big 12 football. Texas Tech reached out and spent an estimated $6 million on luring former Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby out of the transfer portal to become the Red Raiders quarterback. Oh, wait a second, that is not the latest jaw dropping news on Sorsby.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Monday morning (April 27) that Sorsby is stepping away from the Texas Tech program to seek treatment in a residential program for gambling addiction.
That decision comes in response to Sorsby being under investigation by the NCAA after making thousands of online bets on a variety of sports, professional and collegiate, via a gambling app. Sorsby’s wagers included some involving Indiana games during his true freshman season as a Hoosier quarterback in 2022. ESPN was the first to report the NCAA investigation. Results found by the NCAA enforcement division will be delivered to the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.
The NCAA would not comment on the matter. However, if proven to have wagered on events that violate NCAA rules and with the possible number of wagers that are in violation, he could lose his eligibility.
However, Texas Tech and their head coach Joey McGuire had plenty to say about the Sorsby situation.
William Purnell-Imagn Images
Sorsby, shown in his five touchdown performance in the 49-17 Cincinnati win in Stillwater last season.
Texas Tech in a released statement included this, “Texas Tech is committed to supporting Brendan through his recovery process and to ensure his long-term health and well-being.”
Also in a statement released by the school: “We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” communicated McGuire. “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.”
Sorsby was one of the top quarterback targets in the last transfer portal after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns with just five interceptions last year as a redshirt junior at Cincinnati. He also rushed for nine touchdowns. He now has 22 career rushing touchdowns and 60 career passing touchdowns. He has thrown for 7,208 yards in his career, which spans playing at Indiana for two seasons, one a redshirt and two seasons with the Bearcats.
His transfer to Texas Tech was challenged in court in Ohio for breach of contract and Texas Tech had to pay a buyout on his deal with the University of Cincinnati. Controversy kind of follows Sorsby around these days.
Texas Tech plays at Oklahoma State on Nov. 14 and with no late (spring) transfer portal there are not a lot of options to go get another top notch quarterback. Last season at Oklahoma State in a 49-17 Cincinnati win, Sorsby completed 21-of-30 passing for 284 yards and four touchdowns with another 13 yards and a touchdown rushing. His five touchdowns accounted for was his second highest of the season.
University of Tulsa Athletics
Former Tulsa QB Kirk Francis could end up being the starter in Lubbock is Sorsby loses his eligibility.
If you are wondering, Texas Tech has four other quarterbacks on the roster. That includes former Tulsa starting quarterback Kirk Francis. The 6-2, 200 pound junior from Tulsa’s Metro Christian Academy was brought there to compete for the backup role and he received a decent NIL/Rev.Share offer. Texas Tech also has some experience in sophomore quarterback Will Hammond (6-2, 210), who started in the win over Oklahoma State last season in Lubbock and was 9-of-15 for 102-yards and a touchdown before going out with a season ending knee injury in the second quarter.
All of a sudden, Texas Tech realizes that there are some things that Cody Campbell’s money can’t keep you out of.
