Brendan Sorsby, the former quarterback for Texas Tech, is candidly discussing his battle with gambling addiction and the subsequent betting scandal that abruptly ended his college football career. In a revealing interview featured in the upcoming documentary series "The Program," Sorsby expresses his deep remorse over his actions, stating he has "a ton of regret" for the choices he made during his time as a student-athlete.
The documentary, which is set to premiere on Paramount+ this Friday, provides an in-depth look at Sorsby's journey and the broader context of Texas Tech football. Sorsby shares his experiences with gambling, revealing that his issues began before he even stepped onto a college campus. He would travel from his hometown of Denton, Texas, to Oklahoma, where he could legally place bets after turning 18. This early exposure to gambling would eventually escalate as he played for teams like Indiana and Cincinnati before transferring to Texas Tech.
In his own words, Sorsby admits, "I couldn't watch sporting activities without wanting to have something at stake, wanting to have some skin on the game." This compulsive behavior led to significant financial consequences; court records indicate that he placed over 9,000 bets amounting to at least $90,000 during his college career, including wagers on games involving Indiana while he was a member of the Hoosiers.
After transferring to Texas Tech ahead of the 2026 season, Sorsby continued his betting habits, despite being in a more financially stable position. He describes the experience as "chasing a dopamine hit," emphasizing that those around him at Texas Tech were unaware of the severity of his gambling problem. In April, he took an indefinite leave from the Red Raiders to enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction. However, the NCAA ruled him permanently ineligible following an investigation into his betting activities.
The situation escalated when Sorsby challenged the NCAA's decision in court, temporarily regaining his eligibility after a Texas judge granted an injunction. This ruling would have allowed him to return to the field after serving a two-game suspension. However, the Big 12 Conference intervened, raising questions about potential sanctions against Texas Tech if Sorsby were to play, leading to further complications in his eligibility saga.
Ultimately, Sorsby decided to withdraw his eligibility challenge and left Texas Tech. He recounts a poignant moment in the documentary, recalling a phone call with his parents and agent when the reality of his situation hit him hard. "In my head, I'm thinking I just threw everything I've worked for my entire life out the window. Like, it's over," he reflects.
After his departure from college football, Sorsby attempted to enter the NFL through the supplemental draft, but the league did not hold one in 2026. He is now focused on preparing for the 2027 NFL draft, hoping for a fresh start. The documentary not only sheds light on his personal struggles but also provides a behind-the-scenes look at Texas Tech's offseason under head coach Joey McGuire, capturing the atmosphere surrounding the program as it navigated this challenging period.
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