Brendan Sorsby Reveals Gambling Addiction That Ended College Football Career in Paramount+ Documentary

Brendan Sorsby has detailed the gambling addiction that ended his college football career in the Paramount+ documentary “The Program: Texas Tech.” The former quarterback, who transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech last January as one of the NCAA’s most highly regarded players, expressed “remorse” and “regret” over the conduct uncovered by an NCAA investigation.

That probe found Sorsby placed more than 9,000 wagers worth at least $90,000 during his college career. The bets included at least 40 supporting Indiana while he was in the program, though none were on games in which he played, according to reporting by Casino.org.

Onset and Persistence of the Addiction

Sorsby began gambling in 2018 while at Lake Dallas High School in Corinth, Texas. “I liked gambling,” he said. “I couldn’t watch a sporting activity without having a stake … having some skin in the game. We had a casino on the other side of the border, and you only had to be 18.”

He attended Indiana University from 2022 to 2023, then the University of Cincinnati for 2024-25 before moving to Texas Tech. Sorsby said he gambled throughout his time at Indiana and Cincinnati, making mistakes early by betting on his own team. At Texas Tech, despite an NIL package worth $5 million for the 2026 season, the behavior continued. “No reason at all to gamble, and yet I still did it,” he said. “You’re chasing a dopamine hit, and that’s where you lose yourself. There’s a reason that with gambling, out of any other addiction, you have the highest suicide rate, because people bury themselves in holes that they feel they can’t get out of.”

Legal Battles and Path Forward

In April, Sorsby acknowledged the addiction and stepped away from Texas Tech for treatment. The NCAA revoked his remaining eligibility. He regained it through a Texas court injunction, but the Big 12 sued Texas Tech over potential sanctions. Sorsby dropped his NCAA challenge and the conference withdrew its lawsuit.

He tried to enter the NFL via a supplemental draft, but the league declined to hold one. Lawrence Ferazani, general counsel of the NFL Management Council, wrote that the petition did not demonstrate accountability or adherence to integrity rules. Sorsby is sitting out the 2026 season and will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft. And on Sept. 2, the NCAA cleared Cincinnati of wrongdoing. The documentary includes scenes from team meetings and Sorsby’s emotional reflections, including calls with his parents and agent after the news broke, and tears shed with head coach Joey McGuire.

Reporting: Casino.org News

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