NFL teams learn Brendan Sorsby verdict for supplemental draft

The short-term playing future of Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby was up in the air after the NCAA denied his request for reinstatement for eligibility regarding the 2026 season.

It was believed that Sorsby could enter this year's supplemental draft for the NFL if his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a temporary injunction that would grant him eligibility for the upcoming campaign was unsuccessful. On Monday, pro teams learned if Sorsby will ultimately be available during the supplemental draft in July.

It sounds like Brendan Sorsby won't turn pro in 2026

On Monday morning, ESPN and other outlets confirmed that Sorsby has been granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA that makes him eligible for the upcoming college season. As part of the ruling, district judge Ken Curry in Lubbock County, Texas, said that the NCAA cannot prevent Sorsby from "practicing, playing or otherwise participating on Texas Tech's football team for the 2026 season." 

The ruling added that Sorsby "demonstrated that he will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury if this Court does not issue this temporary injunction because he will be unable to participate as a member of Texas Tech University's 2026 Football season."

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Sorsby officially won't be eligible to be part of this year's supplemental draft. Sorsby will also have to serve a two-game suspension as part of the ruling.

Sorsby checked into a residential treatment program to deal with a gambling addiction earlier this spring. He was previously ruled ineligible to play for Texas Tech after he admitted to gambling on sports, including on Indiana games when he was a member of that program. 

As recently as last week, one report claimed that the Philadelphia Eagles had "done a lot of work on" Sorsby and could consider grabbing him if he were to become available via the supplemental draft. Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken strongly suggested last week that he thought taking a flier on Sorsby this summer would be 
"a slippery slope."

What's next for Brendan Sorsby, NCAA?

"The NCAA...will likely appeal," NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote about the Sorsby matter. "And the clock is still ticking; Sorsby has until June 22 to apply for the NFL’s supplemental draft." 

For now, Sorsby is on track to take snaps for the Red Raiders in September. He will not be able to play in games against Abilene Christian and Oregon State as part of Monday's decision.

Texas Tech's third game is against Houston on Sept. 18.

"The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court’s ruling in this case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome — which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports," that organization said in a statement shared by Justin Williams of The Athletic. "The NCAA is committed to supporting student-athlete mental health but must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity, such as betting on one’s own sport."