TCU AD ‘can’t fathom’ ruling that allows Texas Tech QB to play
It was a judge not from Lubbock but Fort Worth who decided the suspended Texas Tech quarterback can play for the Red Raiders this season.
And said judge has zero ties to Texas Tech, or Lubbock.
As of June 8, the quarterback TCU will face in Lubbock for its football game at Texas Tech on Nov. 26 can be The Gambler — Mr. Brendan Sorsby, a statement that last week sounded preposterous, but possible in this era of no-rules NCAA athletics.
On Monday morning, a judge in Fort Worth ruled in favor of Sorsby’s injunction against the NCAA’s suspension for his betting on games while he was on the team at Indiana University. Sorsby is scheduled to serve a two-game suspension to start the season, and then he will be eligible to play for the Red Raiders.
TCU director of athletics Mike Buddie was surprised, but not shocked. These days, “surprised but not shocked” fits everything that happens in NCAA athletics.
“A bedrock principle of collegiate athletics was overturned with this decision, but so have many others in recent months, so sadly, it does not surprise me,” Buddie said in a text message to the Star-Telegram. “I just can’t fathom a judge thinking that this outcome is fair, or what is best for the young man or for his institution.”
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes told ESPN: “We officially lost our soul. How is anyone ever going to trust the outcome of a game again?”
Dykes also wondered whether players might now think it was fine to bet on games, ESPN said.
According to reports from other Big 12 cities, and national outlets, Big 12 coaches and administrators are furious at the ruling. This includes some anonymous Big 12 ADs telling Yahoo Sports they are considering not playing the Red Raiders this season.
One thing we know about NCAA football in this era, they will go to any length to play the games. Check the 2020 COVID season.
Playing a team whose quarterback has what reads like a gambling issue is not going to deter networks, the conference, or the teams from kicking off. Not when there is this much money involved.
The issue is the issue; it wasn’t that Sorsby bet on everything but competitive Polish line dancing, but that he put down bets on games while he was on the team at Indiana University. That is a red-letter sin in sports. Or, it used to be.
These days, most red-letter sins in NCAA sports come in gray, and more often invisible ink.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark issued a statement to Front Office Sports on Monday afternoon.
“The ramifications of today’s ruling are significant and could have broad impacts across college athletics, creating great concern amongst our membership,” he said. “I’ve been consulting with our key stakeholders and have scheduled meetings with our Conference ADs and Executive Board this week.
“We are also in touch with (NCAA President) Charlie Baker and anticipate the NCAA to appeal the order in the next 24-48 hours. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.”
So ... nothing.
This may not be over, but for planning purposes expect Brendan Sorsby will be in his Red Raider uniform this season.
It will be a surprise, and maybe even a shock, if he’s not.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM.
