Texas Tech coach says NCAA’s punishment for QB who gambled is too harsh
The status of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is one of the biggest storylines in college football.
Sorsby was deemed ineligible due to gambling earlier this offseason and his request for his eligibility to be reinstated was denied earlier this week by the NCAA after he completed his 35-day in-patient rehab for his gambling addiction at Algamus in Goodyear, Arizona.
Sorsby is appealing the decision.
His eligibility will have College Football Playoff ramifications as the Red Raiders were expected to enter the season as a top-10 team.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire opened up about Sorsby’s status and what he thinks should happen to his star quarterback Thursday at the Big 12 spring business meetings in Frisco.
“I’m proud of Brendan for getting help with his gambling addiction,” McGuire said. “We’ll continue to support Brendan. I’ve talked with him multiple times since he left the facility, and I do that with all my players. ... Regardless of the timeline when he sought help, Brendan has done it at a level that has never been done before with the help he’s been asking for.”
Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech for his final season from Cincinnati and was viewed by many as a top-two quarterback available in the transfer portal.
The Red Raiders were relying on his dual threat capabilities to help the offense take the next step after Texas Tech lost 23-0 to Oregon in the CFP.
McGuire believes there should be some punishment for Sorsby, but thinks him missing the entire season wouldn’t be beneficial.
“I believe he made a mistake, and whenever that happens, I do believe there should be consequences,” McGuire said. “But it’s my opinion that he shouldn’t be penalized for the rest of this year or his career. He’s been really honest and transparent that he has got a serious problem.
“I think the best place to get help is him being at Texas Tech and him being able to play. He believes there should be a penalty also, and he’s ready to serve that penalty, but we just don’t believe that it should be for the full year.”
In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA, Sorsby suggested a two-game suspension, but that was also denied. McGuire said the university will continue to support Sorsby regardless of the decision.
If Sorsby is unable to play then the defending Big 12 champions will rely on Will Hammond, who is recovering from an ACL injury and won’t be cleared until fall camp.
“His release date should be Aug. 21,” McGuire said of Hammond. “He started throwing before spring break. Our player-led 7-on-7 starts next Wednesday, and so he’ll be able to do 7-on-7. The only thing right now that we wouldn’t let him do is go 11-on-11 or where there was any type of rush in his face. He’s in a good spot, we’re really fortunate to have Will Hammond.”
Aug. 21 is just two weeks before the Red Raiders’ season opener vs. Abilene Christian on Sept. 5, but McGuire isn’t too concerned about his status for Week 1.
“I do not see [us] pushing him into Week 1 to be ready to go,” McGuire said.
McGuire did say that Hammond would be ready Week 1 if Texas accepted his offer to play in Lubbock or AT&T Stadium after head coach Steve Sarkisian mocked the Red Raiders’ schedule this season.
Redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones could be in line to start Week 1 if Sorsby and Hammond are unavailable.
This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 5:29 PM.
