Brendan Sorsby’s hopes of reaching the NFL took another major blow Tuesday when the league officially rejected his petition to enter the supplemental draft.
In a letter to Sorsby that was published by ESPN, the NFL told the quarterback that his petition was either incomplete or deliberately vague, and that it failed to “demonstrate accountability for your conduct or indicate whether, or how, you would adhere to the League’s rules and policies governing the integrity of competition.”
Sorsby had been declared ineligible by the NCAA after being found to have violated rules related to gambling. NFL counsel Lawrence P. Ferazani Jr. wrote in the letter that the league was troubled by Sorsby’s refusal to accept “responsibility for your actions,” noting that he first tried to fight the consequences through the courts before attempting to gain entry to the NFL through the supplemental draft process.
The quarterback had transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech ahead of the 2026 season, but those plans fell apart after his gambling violations came to light. Among the allegations was that he placed bets on Indiana games while he was a member of that team.
The NFL noted that it reviewed the full case and public record in making its decision, saying that was necessary because Sorsby failed to address the specifics or context surrounding his NCAA ban.
The league’s letter laid out its findings in detail: “You knowingly engaged in repeated and significant violations of NCAA rules designed to preserve the integrity of athletic competition. Reported conduct includes placing wagers on your own team and teammates and, to avoid detection, establishing or funding accounts in the names of intermediaries who placed bets on your behalf. There are also reports that you may have violated state criminal law.”
Ferazani also reminded Sorsby that commissioner Roger Goodell considers playing in the NFL a privilege “that carries with it significant responsibilities, including accountability. By all accounts, you are a talented player with the potential for future success. We encourage you to focus on preparing for possible entry into the NFL through the 2027 NFL Annual Draft.”
Sorsby’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, responded to the decision by telling ESPN the NFL had violated the “CBA and the law” — a response the league likely anticipated given their prior legal battles.
Kessler has a strong track record against the NFL in court and is well known for his expertise in union-related sports law. He represented the NFLPA during Tom Brady’s “Deflategate” suspension, worked on behalf of New Orleans Saints players disciplined in the “Bountygate” case, and has scored major legal victories as lead counsel in House vs. NCAA and 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports vs. NASCAR.
