After seeing his college football and NFL plans for 2026 fall apart, former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby appears to have suffered another setback. Multiple reports indicate that the Canadian Football League (CFL) has indefinitely barred any team from signing Sorsby. With each passing day, his football options continue to dwindle.
It remains unclear whether Sorsby could be forced to sit out even longer than expected. While the NFL left the door open for the 2027 NFL Draft, it is uncertain whether the league will accept his declaration in January. There has also been speculation that he could pursue the junior college (JUCO) route, although he would first need clearance from the NJCAA to regain eligibility.
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The situation has spiraled ever since Sorsby sought to have his eligibility reinstated. After a judge granted an injunction, the controversy escalated. It eventually reached the point where the Big 12 filed a federal complaint against Texas Tech. The fallout led Sorsby to leave Texas Tech, apply for the NFL Supplemental Draft, and ultimately face rejection from both the NFL and CFL.
Sorsby only has himself to blame
At the end of the day, Sorsby should absolutely seek treatment for his gambling addiction. However, the responsibility for this situation ultimately falls on him. No one forced Sorsby to place thousands of bets in violation of clear NCAA rules. More importantly, no one forced him to gamble on games involving his own team.
Sports have seen similar cases before, and they have consistently resulted in severe punishment. Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball, while Calvin Ridley served a one-year suspension from the NFL. Sorsby would have been better served by accepting the NCAA’s ruling, focusing on himself, and preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft.
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In fact, he may have had a stronger case for the Supplemental Draft had he accepted his NCAA punishment from the outset. One of the key factors in the NFL’s decision to deny his application was that he exhausted every avenue to regain his college eligibility before turning to the professional route.
What comes next for Sorsby?
At this point, Sorsby’s options are extremely limited. Aside from filing additional lawsuits against the NFL, NCAA, or even the CFL, his only realistic football path may be the junior college ranks. Even that is far from guaranteed.
To play at the JUCO level, Sorsby would need to receive eligibility clearance under NJCAA rules, likely through a high-level review process. As things stand today, he should expect to miss the 2026 football season.
If Sorsby has not accepted that reality by now, it is difficult to see what will change. His focus should shift toward self-reflection, getting the help he needs, and preparing for the opportunity to pursue the 2027 NFL Draft.
