Brendan Sorsby, the Texas Tech quarterback barred from playing in 2026 due to NCAA gambling violations, dismissed his lawsuit against the NCAA after the university explicitly told him he wouldn’t be allowed to suit up for the Red Raiders this season.
Texas Tech’s decision to block Sorsby’s return—announced just days after the Big 12 sued the school over its handling of the case—forced the quarterback’s hand. With no path to play college football, Sorsby now faces a June 15 supplemental NFL draft where teams, including the Steelers, are already circling. His future hinges on whether his talent outweighs the risks of his past mistakes.
The Texas Tech Gambit: Why Sorsby’s Lawsuit Collapsed
Sorsby’s legal battle against the NCAA ended abruptly when Texas Tech, under pressure from both the league and federal court, made a calculated move: they told him he wouldn’t play in 2026. The university’s decision, detailed in the lawsuit’s dismissal filing, wasn’t just a warning—it was an ultimatum. “On June 15, 2026, Plaintiff was informed by Texas Tech that, notwithstanding the Temporary Injunction Order, the University would not permit Plaintiff to play for his football team during the 2026-27 football season,” the filing stated, rendering the injunction moot.
The timing was no coincidence. Just hours before Texas Tech’s announcement, the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit in Dallas seeking the right to sanction the school if it played Sorsby. The league’s legal action created a perfect storm: Texas Tech couldn’t risk further backlash from its conference, and Sorsby had no choice but to pivot to the NFL. “Texas Tech blinked,” one industry source told NBC Sports, forcing Sorsby’s hand.
The Steelers’ Dilemma: Can Sorsby’s Talent Outweigh the Risks?
The Pittsburgh Steelers, desperate for a franchise quarterback, are among the teams most eager to take a chance on Sorsby. But his path to the NFL isn’t straightforward. While scouts have long viewed him as a high-upside prospect—one Yahoo Sports reported could have been a late-first-round pick in the traditional draft—his gambling scandal and erratic play have complicated his stock.
NFL executives, however, remain divided. One AFC scout described Sorsby as “an excellent easy thrower with the ability to make every throw,” adding, “Big, good athlete, can go off schedule, can rush for touchdowns in short-yardage or goal-line situations. Lots of highlights. Would like more consistency, but a first-round talent for sure.” Yet another executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Sorsby would likely be a second-round pick in the supplemental draft—a far cry from the first-round expectations he had when returning to Texas Tech.
“Sorsby would enter the draft with sizable value to teams. Several execs I spoke with over the past few weeks agree that he’s worth a second-round pick in the supplemental draft. One AFC executive predicted Sorsby would have been a late-first-rounder if he were available in April’s traditional draft—but the last supplemental draft to garner a first-rounder was 1992 (quarterback Dave Brown).”
For the Steelers, the calculus is simple: Sorsby’s talent is undeniable, but his baggage is substantial. His gambling history—including bets on games involving his own team—has made him a liability in the eyes of some franchises. Yet, with no clear alternative at quarterback, Pittsburgh may be willing to take the risk. The question now is whether Sorsby’s recovery from addiction will be enough to convince NFL teams that he’s worth the investment.
Texas Tech’s Reputation Takes Another Hit
Texas Tech’s handling of the Sorsby case has left the university’s reputation in tatters. The school’s initial response to a Lubbock County judge’s temporary injunction—allowing Sorsby to play despite NCAA sanctions—was widely criticized as a cynical move to exploit the quarterback’s talent while ignoring the integrity of college football. The New York Times framed it as a “torrent of rationalizations” centered on mental health support, while ignoring the reality that Sorsby’s return would have subjected him to intense scrutiny and potential backlash.
Mental health experts, including those consulted by The Athletic, argued that Sorsby would have been better off stepping away from football entirely. One professional told Grace Raynor that Sorsby needed “at least a year of recovery” before returning to competitive play—a timeline Texas Tech’s leadership failed to honor. Instead, the university doubled down, only to retreat under legal pressure. The fallout has been swift: stakeholders across college football now view Texas Tech as an outlier willing to bend rules for profit.
What Happens Next: The Supplemental Draft and Beyond
Sorsby’s next stop is the NFL supplemental draft, where he’ll face a different set of challenges. Unlike the traditional draft, where teams have months to evaluate prospects, the supplemental draft is a high-stakes gamble. Teams must decide quickly whether Sorsby’s potential outweighs the risks of his past. The Steelers, with their quarterback crisis, are the most likely contender, but other franchises—particularly those with weak passing games—could also emerge as suitors.
One thing is certain: Sorsby’s path to the NFL is now irreversible. Texas Tech’s decision to block his return has eliminated any lingering doubt about his future. The question now is whether the NFL will give him the second chance he needs—or if his mistakes will cost him the opportunity to play at the next level.
For Texas Tech, the damage is already done. The university’s reputation as a football powerhouse has taken a hit, and its handling of the Sorsby case has set a dangerous precedent. If other schools follow suit—prioritizing wins over integrity—the future of college football could be at risk. For now, though, the focus remains on Sorsby: a quarterback with talent, a troubled past, and a shot at redemption in the NFL.
