Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction, with the NCAA investigating his betting activities, according to multiple reports. The athlete, a highly-touted transfer from Cincinnati, faces potential sanctions from the NCAA, which strictly prohibits student-athletes from wagering on college or professional sports.
The NCAA's investigation into Sorsby's gambling stems from what sources describe as a "steady flurry of small bets over a period of time." The NCAA has stringent guidelines regarding sports wagering violations:
Student-athletes who bet on their own games or on other sports at their own schools face potential permanent loss of collegiate eligibility.
Wagering on their sport, but involving a different school, could result in the loss of 50% of one season of eligibility.
Bets exceeding $800 on any NCAA-sponsored sport could lead to the potential loss of 30% of a season's eligibility.
The Texas Tech athletic department has stated its support for Sorsby, announcing he is "prioritizing his health" and that the school will have no further comment on his status or treatment progress. The university declined to comment on the specific nature of the NCAA's investigation.
Shifting Rules and Past Incidents
The NCAA's stance on sports wagering by athletes has seen some flux. An amended guideline in 2023 clarified prohibitions, and a rule change in October 2025 that would have allowed betting on professional sports was rescinded a month later after a significant number of Division I schools voted against it. This reaffirms the current prohibition on athletes betting on professional sports.
Read More: NCAA Gives 5 Years Eligibility for College Athletes Starting 2026
While NCAA gambling scandals have historically involved smaller programs and less significant wagers, Sorsby's situation marks a high-profile case involving a prominent college football player. There is currently no indication of law enforcement involvement. The University of Cincinnati, Sorsby's previous institution, also declined to comment on the matter.
