While Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby battles to maintain his college playing status, multiple NFL franchises are reportedly considering him as a potential pick in the supplemental draft if his collegiate career comes to an end.
The signal-caller joined the Red Raiders from Cincinnati during the off-season and took part in spring workouts, but his regular season participation remains uncertain as the NCAA examines gambling allegations. NCAA regulations strictly forbid student-athletes and staff members from placing bets on any NCAA championship events, including football.
According to reports from ESPN and Cleveland.com, professional teams are conducting evaluations to assess Sorsby’s potential value should he decide to enter the supplemental draft before the June 30 cutoff date.
The investigation centers on Sorsby’s alleged wagering activities involving Major League Baseball and college football contests, including reported bets on Indiana football during his 2022 redshirt season with the Hoosiers.
Despite the controversy, Sorsby demonstrated strong performance on the field. During his redshirt freshman campaign at Indiana in 2023, he recorded 15 touchdown passes. Across his three seasons with both the Hoosiers and Bearcats (2024-25), he accumulated 82 total touchdowns, including 22 rushing scores, while throwing 17 interceptions.
His most recent season at Cincinnati saw him throw 27 touchdown passes against just five interceptions.
The NFL last conducted a supplemental draft in 2019. Established in 1977, this special draft was designed to provide opportunities for players experiencing “sudden eligibility changes” to transition from college to professional football. The league will likely conduct a thorough review of Sorsby’s situation before deciding whether to proceed with a July supplemental draft.
Texas Tech announced that Sorsby would participate in a gambling addiction treatment program and take an indefinite break from team activities. The university has retained Jeffrey Kessler, a prominent sports attorney, to fight for Sorsby’s eligibility restoration. Kessler served as the lead counsel in the House vs. NCAA settlement approved in June 2025, which established revenue sharing in college sports. This agreement allows schools to distribute $20.5 million annually to athletes, with yearly increases built in.
Kessler has previously represented the NFL Players Association in cases involving high-profile players including Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, and Ray Rice.
An On3 report indicates that Sorsby has placed over 10,000 sports bets since 2022, averaging up to 20 daily wagers across various sportsbook applications in multiple states.
Notable players who entered the NFL through the supplemental draft include former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar (1985), Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter (1987), and wide receiver Rob Moore (1990), who played for the Jets and Cardinals.
