LUBBOCK — The NCAA denied Texas Tech's petition to reinstate quarterback Brendan Sorsby's eligibility after he admitted to wagering on his former team as a freshman at Indiana. Texas Tech announced it would appeal the decision and has filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary injunction to allow Sorsby to play this season.

Sorsby acknowledged in court filings that during his first year at Indiana, he placed bets between $5 and $50 on the Hoosiers football team to win and made prop bets on teammates’ statistical performance. He stated he did not wager on the one game in which he played for Indiana and said he never bet on Cincinnati after transferring there in 2024, though he continued betting on other sports.

Last week, Sorsby completed an inpatient gambling addiction treatment program and is preparing to return to campus. He is currently permitted to participate in Texas Tech’s offseason activities while awaiting a court hearing in Lubbock County District Court on his request for a temporary injunction.

University president Lawrence Schovanec wrote in a letter to the Texas Tech community that the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified. “Brendan himself has been open about his struggle with severe gambling addiction, and we believe his vulnerability deserves to be met with the full weight of this institution’s support.” He added, “Our foremost priority in contemplating Brendan’s future with Texas Tech is his continued health and well-being.”

Schovanec outlined a comprehensive support plan that includes outpatient clinical care, group and individual therapy, mentor resources, treatment for a related anxiety disorder, device monitoring, a financial custodian, and periodic compliance checks. “This is not a symbolic commitment. Each element reflects our conviction, and Brendan’s, that nothing matters more right now than his continued recovery.”

Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said the appeal to the NCAA would be submitted by the end of the week. “We believe the right thing to do is to not ruin this young man’s college career for something that happened four years ago. Let’s give him a second chance and help him.”

Head coach Joey McGuire said he is proud of Sorsby for seeking help and added, “He shouldn’t be penalized for the rest of this year, or his career.”