The college football world is abuzz with controversy following a Texas judge’s decision to grant a temporary injunction to Brendan Sorsbyallowing the Texas Tech quarterback to compete in the 2026 college football season. The ruling, issued by Tarrant County Judge Ken Curry on June 8prevents the NCAA from punishing Sorsby for violating sports betting rules.
In the wake of this decision, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has issued a statement defending the university’s role and expressing support for Sorsby’s recovery. Hocutt emphasized that Texas Tech did not file or fund Sorsby’s lawsuit, stating that the university’s role has been to support his recovery, not to engineer his eligibility.
Texas Tech’s Position on Sorsby’s Eligibility
Hocutt’s statement comes amid intense criticism from across the college sports world. In a Yahoo Sports story, Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor described Sorsby’s reinstatement as “f***ing bulls***,” while another Big 12 athletic directorwho requested anonymity, said Texas Tech “should be ashamed of itself.” Some athletic administrators have even discussed the possibility of refusing to play against the Red Raiders in any sport.
Despite the backlash, Hocutt maintains that there is “no perfect answer” to the predicament. He acknowledged the importance of integrity in college sports but argued that it applies on more than one front. “The integrity of sport matters. So does the integrity of how we treat a 22-year-old who sought help, entered residential treatment, and is working every day toward recovery,” Hocutt said.
The NCAA’s Stance and Sorsby’s Recovery
The NCAA declared Sorsby ineligible after it was revealed he had bet approximately $90,000 on pro and college sports over a four-year period. Notably, this included 40 bets he placed on Indiana football in 2026 while he was redshirting with the Hoosiers. The NCAA prohibits its athletes from betting on sports.
Sorsby underwent a 35-day in-patient treatment program in Arizona for diagnosed gambling and anxiety disorders. While Sorsby’s attorneys and Texas Tech have frequently cited his mental health challenges, NCAA lawyer Taylor Askew said in a hearing that the organization considered those factors when ruling Sorsby permanently ineligible.
Hocutt emphasized that Texas Tech is “operating on a comprehensive clinical and compliance structure” and that the university is where Sorsby can receive the best possible support in his ongoing recovery. “Pulling him out of a structured environment, away from his team and support system, does not protect anyone,” Hocutt said.
The Road Ahead for Sorsby and Texas Tech
Under the terms of the court ruling, Sorsby will miss Texas Tech’s first two games of the 2026 season, non-conference matchups against Abilene Christian and at Oregon State. Hocutt said any further punishment beyond that will depend on how Sorsby’s recovery “continues to progress.”
“The system we’re operating within is binary, but the situation is not,” Hocutt said. “We are open to ongoing conversations about how to best handle these issues as an industry going forward. We will continue to be transparent in our decision-making. Most importantly, we will keep doing what we have always done, put our students first.”
As the college football world grapples with the implications of this decision, Texas Tech remains steadfast in its support for Sorsby’s recovery and eligibility. The university’s stance highlights the complex interplay between mental healthathletic integrityand the legal system in college sports.
