Brendan Sorsby

Brendan Sorsby in 2026

Brendan Sorsby Introduction

Brendan Sorsby is a 22-year-old American college football quarterback who currently plays for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Born on January 20, 2004, in Denton, Texas, Sorsby has established himself as one of the most talented passers in college football during his multi-school career. His journey through Indiana, Cincinnati, and finally Texas Tech has been marked by impressive statistical achievements and record-breaking performances. However, 2026 has become a pivotal and challenging year for Sorsby as he faces an NCAA investigation related to sports gambling that threatens his eligibility for the upcoming season.

Brendan Sorsby Biography

Sorsby grew up in Denton, Texas and attended Lake Dallas High School in Corinth, where he lettered in both football and baseball. During his high school career, he earned recognition as the Denton Record-Chronicle 2021 Quarterback of the Year. He finished his high school tenure with 1,271 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, while also accumulating 823 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns. Rated as a three-star recruit, Sorsby committed to play college football at Indiana University, choosing them over offers from Abilene Christian, Army, Delaware, Fordham, Lamar, Navy, Texas A&M-Commerce, and Western Carolina.

College Career at Indiana

Sorsby began his college journey at Indiana University Bloomington in 2022 as a true freshman. During that season, he appeared in only one game, completing three of six passing attempts for eight yards against Penn State. In the 2023 season, he was named the starting quarterback for Week 1 against Ohio State, where he completed eight of 16 attempts for 58 yards. After being replaced by Tayven Jackson in the third game against Louisville, Sorsby returned to the starting role by the seventh game against Rutgers and remained the starter for the rest of the season. He entered the transfer portal on November 27, 2023, seeking a new opportunity.

Breakout Seasons at Cincinnati

On December 6, 2023, Sorsby announced his transfer to the University of Cincinnati, becoming a member of the Cincinnati Bearcats. The 2024 season marked his first full year as Cincinnati primary starter, where he demonstrated significant improvement. He completed 249 of 389 passes for 2,813 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 64.0 percent completion rate. During the 2025 season, Sorsby continued his strong performance and was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, one of the premier honors for college quarterbacks. In the final regular-season game at TCU, he tied Desmond Ridder for the school record with 36 total touchdowns in a season as quarterback. His 2025 statistics included 207 completions on 336 attempts for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, along with an impressive 155.1 passer rating.

Transfer to Texas Tech and 2026 Gambling Investigation

On January 4, 2026, Sorsby announced his transfer to Texas Tech University, choosing the reigning Big 12 champions after also visiting LSU. The university reportedly offered him a name, image, and likeness deal exceeding $4 million to join the Red Raiders for his final season. However, his tenure at Texas Tech quickly became overshadowed by controversy. On April 27, 2026, ESPN reported that Sorsby was under NCAA investigation for sports gambling and would seek treatment. He took an indefinite leave of absence from the team to enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction. On May 26, 2026, the NCAA denied his request for reinstatement for eligibility for the 2026 season. His lawyers subsequently submitted court documents admitting he placed bets on his own team 40 times and used family members or friends gambling accounts to evade detection, totaling $90,000 gambled over four years. Texas Tech filed an appeal of the decision, and Sorsby filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in an attempt to play in 2026.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Throughout his college career spanning 34 games with 31 starts, Sorsby has passed for 7,208 yards and 60 touchdowns. He also accumulated 1,295 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his dual-threat capability as a quarterback. His career passer rating stands at 140.65 with a 61.4 percent completion rate. In 2025, he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors, recognizing his excellence in one of college football premier conferences. Despite the challenges of 2026, Sorsby remains one of the most statistically accomplished quarterbacks in recent college football history.

Brendan Sorsby Summary

Brendan Sorsby represents both the heights of college football success and the pitfalls that can threaten an athlete career. From his three-star recruit status to becoming a Second-team All-Big 12 quarterback with over 7,200 passing yards and 60 touchdowns, his athletic achievements are undeniable. His transfers from Indiana to Cincinnati and finally to Texas Tech showcases his determination to find the right fit for his talents. The 2026 gambling investigation and subsequent NCAA ineligibility ruling mark a difficult chapter that has forced him into treatment and legal battles. As Texas Tech appeals the decision and Sorsby pursues a lawsuit, his future in college football remains uncertain. Regardless of what comes next, Sorsby statistical legacy at Cincinnati and his record-breaking performances ensure he will be remembered as one of the standout quarterbacks of his era in college football.