Former college quarterback Brendan Sorsby has decided to walk away from any further legal battles, a move that effectively means he won’t be playing professional football until 2027 at the earliest.
Sorsby notified the NFL on Tuesday that he is accepting the league’s rejection of his supplemental draft application and will not pursue a lawsuit to challenge that decision.
In a statement released Tuesday, Sorsby said: “I accept 100% responsibility for my actions. I did not have control of my gambling problem and it took getting caught for me to realize that, but it was truly the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Because of this, I have been able get the help I need and fully focus on my recovery. The news about the supplemental draft changes nothing about my recovery journey — I will continue to take it one day at a time. Focusing on making myself better throughout this process and making sure to share what I have learned and will continue to learn with others going forward. I am fully committed to being the best version of myself that I can be while getting ready for the 2027 draft. God makes no mistakes and I look forward to seeing the good that is to come from this.”
A memo was sent to all 32 NFL franchises this week confirming Sorsby’s decision. According to multiple reports, the memo included confirmation from “the NFLPA and Brendan Sorsby that there will be no further litigation regarding his entry into the NFL. Instead, Mr. Sorsby will focus on his preparation for entry into the League via the 2027 NFL Draft.”
When the NFL formally denied Sorsby’s supplemental draft request, league legal counsel Lawrence P. Ferazani Jr. authored a pointed rebuke, criticizing the quarterback for failing to take “responsibility for your actions” and for first attempting litigation, then trying to enter the supplemental draft to sidestep consequences.
Sorsby had been considered the top-ranked quarterback in the college transfer portal back in December, when he left Cincinnati to join Texas Tech for a reported deal in the neighborhood of $5 million.
He previously admitted to breaking NCAA rules by placing thousands of bets — including 40 wagers on Indiana football games while he was a member of that team’s roster. He had transferred to Cincinnati after spending two seasons in Bloomington, Indiana.
The NCAA declared Sorsby ineligible to compete for Texas Tech this fall, citing violations of its gambling policy, which bars student-athletes from betting on any NCAA-sanctioned event. Consequences for such violations can be severe, particularly in cases where a player bets on their own team, and can include permanent bans.
A district judge in Lubbock County had issued an injunction on June 8 that would have allowed Sorsby to play for Texas Tech until a scheduled court date following the 2026 season. However, the NCAA quickly appealed that ruling, drawing outrage from athletic directors and coaches around the country.
The Big 12 Conference also weighed in, urging courts to hold both Sorsby and Texas Tech responsible for the violations.
At that point, Sorsby and his attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, chose to abandon the fight with the NCAA and instead pursue a faster route to professional football. That path was blocked as well — the NFL turned down his supplemental draft bid, and the CFL barred its nine teams from signing the 22-year-old.
