Brendan Sorsby Discusses Gambling Addiction, Has 'A Ton of Regret' Over His Actions

Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby opened up about his "remorse and a ton of regret" for his actions stemming from his gambling addiction. 

Sorbsy was interviewed for the upcoming Paramount+ series titled The Program: Texas Tech and discussed his gambling addiction and actions that led him to entering a treatment program and ultimately being declared ineligible by the NCAA.

"I have a ton of remorse and a ton of regret for the things that I've done in the past," Sorsby said (h/t ESPN's Max Olson). "Just for my coaches and teammates and those guys, and then all the backlash that we faced—they're having to face all the scrutiny and backlash as well."

Sorsby initially received an injunction from a Texas judge that would have allowed him to play in 2026 despite being ruled ineligible. However, there was significant national backlash, and the conference eventually filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech in response.

The Red Raiders stopped fighting for his eligibility at that point, and Sorsby was also denied entry by the NFL to enter the supplemental draft. He is preparing for the 2027 NFL draft.

"You know, I expected some pushback," Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said in one interview in the series. "I never saw what was coming."

Sorsby—who admitted to placing more than 9,000 wagers over four years, including some on Indiana football when he was with the Hoosiers—revealed how emotional he was when he realized he wouldn't be playing in 2026.

"Once that finally came out, I was on the phone with my parents and agent and I'm sitting there bawling my eyes out," Sorsby said. "In my head, I'm thinking I just threw everything I've worked for my entire life out the window, like it's over. Coach McGuire and me sat down at his office and there was a lot of tears shed between the both of us."

Texas Tech will open the season with Will Hammond under center on Saturday against Abilene Christian.