Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has checked into a residential rehab facility for a gambling addiction.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Sorsby decided to seek help after he was found to have made thousands of online bets across a variety of sports.
The NCAA is now investigating Sorsby’s gambling because it strictly prohibits athletes from betting on collegiate and professional sports.
Texas Tech said in a statement on Monday that the university ‘is committed to supporting Brendan through his recovery process and to ensure his long-term health and well-being.’
Earlier this offseason Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech from Cincinnati, who announced on February 26 it would sue him for breaching his NIL contract.
He was ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings and was set to be of high interest to NFL teams going into next year’s draft.
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has checked into rehab for his gambling addiction
It was discovered that Sorsby had made thousands of online bets across a variety of sports
The quarterback was inundated with offers after deciding to transfer away from Cincinnati
The 22-year-old was also believed to be set to earn more than $5million in NIL this year with the Red Raiders.
ESPN claims Sorsby beat on the Indiana football team while he redshirted for the Hoosiers during the 2022 season. He played in just one game that year as a reserve.
The bets were on Indiana to win but none were placed on games he appeared in. If the NCAA finds he broke their strict rules he would be ineligible for competition.
NCAA guidelines that were amended in 2023 state that ‘student-athletes who wager on their own games or on other sports at their own schools’ face ‘permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports.’
Crucially, Sorsby has not ben linked to anybody using him to influence the outcome of games. Instead, his gambling is said to have been consistent small bets over a period of time.
‘We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,’ Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said in a statement.
‘Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.’
Sorsby was recently pictured at Texas Tech’s spring game on April 17. He threw for 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions last year at Cincinnati. He also rushed for nine touchdowns.
