The 2026 NFL Draft only saw two quarterbacks selected in the first round, but another big name is emerging as a professional-level talent as Brendan Sorsby’s wild story unfolds.
The college football standout still holds eligibility after transferring to Texas Tech for the 2026 season. However, Sorsby’s collegiate career may be over after serious betting allegations were recently raised.
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The 22-year-old quarterback took a leave of absence after details broke of Sorsby betting on many sporting events. That includes several games where the former Indiana signal caller placed wagers on the Hoosiers.
“If Brendan Sorsby goes into the supplementary draft, we are probably going to have the highest drafted supplemental draft player in decades.”
– Tom Pelissero on the Rich Eisen Show. pic.twitter.com/9NMZjn05AY
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) May 2, 2026
The potential first-round NFL Draft star raises serious questions heading into the next level, though. NFL insiders are now linking Sorsby to the NFL based on the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into the Red Raiders quarterback.
Sorsby could still make NFL history despite gambling?
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero even indicated this week that Sorsby could end up benefitting from his murky situation. The NFL insider reported that he believes the Heisman Trophy hopeful may become the highest selected supplemental draft ever.
“If Brendan Sorsby goes into the supplementary draft, we are probably going to have the highest drafted supplemental draft player in decades,” Pelissero explained on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
Simply put, it would set an incredibly unfair precedent if an NFL team opts to bring in Sorsby immediately after his alleged gambling scandal. The NFL and college sports certainly create a double standard by surrounding their leagues with betting companies.
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It appears that Sorsby hasn’t been caught betting on any games that he was directly involved in. However, a supplemental draft pick would send all the wrong signals to players that get caught up in the dangerous world of gambling.
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby runs with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Several top NFL players have already paid the price for sports betting and other gambling issues. Calvin Ridley, Jameson Williams and others received significant suspensions for their involvement in the risk-taking venture.
Ridley even received a full-season suspension that kept him off the gridiron for the entire 2022 NFL season. The NFL would certainly need to punish Sorsby based on his actions, even if they did come prior to him being a professional athlete.
Over the past two seasons, Sorsby’s posted over 5,600 passing yards at Cincinnati and a combined 45 touchdowns. That success led him to Texas Tech before the betting allegations came to light in recent weeks.
It’s unclear what the future holds for the college football star, but the NFL is always looking for top talents so it won’t be surprising if Sorsby ends up playing on Sundays in the near future.
