Transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not play for Texas Tech this fall and plans to apply to enter the NFL supplemental draft, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.
Sorsby's decision comes amid legal wrangling over his NCAA eligibility after he admitted to betting on college sports. Last week, Sorsby was granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA that cleared a path for him to play for the Red Raiders in 2026, even after he was declared ineligible.
In a statement Monday, Cody Campbell, chairman of the Texas Tech Board of Regents, said Texas Tech will not "seek the return" of any money paid to Sorsby through his NIL agreements with the university.
Campbell also noted, "The bottom line is that Texas Tech did absolutely nothing but act with complete integrity through this entire process."
Sorsby, who has admitted to betting on college football, placed more than 9,000 bets, totaling at least $90,000, over three years while he was enrolled at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech, including at least 40 wagers involving his team, according to court documents. The NCAA has not seen evidence that Sorsby manipulated his performance, used inside information to make his wagers or shared privileged information with bettors, according to the documents.
"I am grateful for the support from my family, my Tech coaching staff, teammates, the community, and so many others who have encouraged me to address and learn more about this important issue," Sorsby said in a statement Monday. "As my journey continues, I remain fully committed to and focused on being the best I can be, both on and off the field."
Under Texas judge Ken Curry's ruling, Sorsby could have played for Texas Tech after sitting out the first two games of the season, while being required to continue addiction treatment.
The temporary injunction sparked calls to boycott games with Texas Tech, a lawsuit from the Big 12 and letters from at least four state attorneys general weighing in on the case.
"When Brendan's lawsuit resulted in the granting of a temporary injunction, we found ourselves in a difficult situation," Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec and athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in a joint statement Monday. "With his health and wellness as our top priority, we supported him in spite of very different perspectives and opinions. Our position was challenged by many but our support for him never changed.
"We will continue to extend all available resources that Brendan had as a student and athlete to ensure his transition is as successful as possible."
Earlier Monday, the NCAA asked an appeals court for an expedited resolution in the case before the season kicks off Aug. 28, arguing in legal documents filed in Lubbock County District Court that Curry overstepped in granting Sorsby the temporary injunction.
First held in 1977, the NFL supplemental draft is an alternate summer draft that allows teams to bid future draft picks on players who, for various reasons, had their college eligibility impacted and did not enter the regular spring draft.
The NFL declined comment to ESPN on Sorsby's expected application for the supplemental draft.
The league currently does not have a supplemental draft scheduled, which isn't unusual. The NFL holds a supplemental draft only when approved prospects are available, which hasn't happened since 2023. The last time a player was selected during the draft was in 2019.