According to court documents, Texas Tech star quarterback Brendan Sorsby has been granted an injunction against the NCAA that is temporary. Taking place in Lubbock County Court, the decision was made Monday, with the ruling allowing Sorsby to compete in the 2026 college football campaign.
For the first two contests of the season, Sorsby will be suspended, per the injunction. To kick off the campaign, Texas Tech squares off against Abilene Christian, with their second game seeing them take on Oregon State. From there, they open their Big 12 season against Houston.
“This court finds that applicant has demonstrated that he will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury if this court does not issue this temporary injunction because he will be unable to participate as a member of Texas Tech University’s 2026 football team,” states the injunction, per On3. (RELATED: REPORT: Federal Lawsuit Looking To Stop UFC Freedom 250 From Taking Place On White House’s South Lawn)
Going into the 2026 campaign, Sorsby is looked at as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. Back in the spring, he decided to skip the NFL Draft to make a comeback to the college level. According to a report from On3, who cited sources, Sorsby’s deal with the Red Raiders is worth over $5 million.
The NCAA isn’t allowed to halt Sorsby from “practicing, playing or otherwise participating on Texas Tech’s football team for the 2026 season,” states the injunction, per On3.
NEWS: A judge in district court in Lubbock County, Texas, has granted the injunction requested by Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby. He’s set to be eligible for the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/31IjwqyxaM
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 8, 2026
Today’s full ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Ken Curry restoring the eligibility of Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, who is now set to serve a two-game suspension and play a final year of college football rather than enter the NFL supplemental draft. pic.twitter.com/ujaqvHtMn1
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 8, 2026
“The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court’s ruling in Sorsby’s case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome — which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports,” said the NCAA in an official statement, per On3. “The NCAA is committed to supporting student-athlete mental health but must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity, such as betting on one’s own sport.”
The request from Sorsby for appeal and reinstatement was rejected by the NCAA recently. Filed with the NCAA, his appeal had Texas Tech recommending a suspension of two games for their quarterback, saying that if the NCAA looks for a penalty to the maximum, “future athletes will be disincentivized from seeking the help they desperately need,” per On3.
In mid-April, Sorsby checked into a rehab center for gambling addictions, since being released from the establishment. The QB for the Red Raiders was issued a diagnosis for both an anxiety and gambling disorder. According to his lawyers, Sorsby was recently in a gambling rehabilitation center in Arizona where he finished a stint of 35 days.
As a quarterback for Indiana, Sorsby had wagered at least 40 bets that involved the Hoosiers, per court documents. Registered to friends and family members, Sorsby was also using sportsbook accounts, betting around $90,000 through four years. After making a transfer in Dec. 2025 from Cincinnati to Texas Tech, Sorsby kept gambling.