Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will take an immediate “indefinite leave from the football program” and enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction, the school announced Monday.
“We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said in a statement. “Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.”
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Sorsby decided to seek treatment after the discovery of “thousands of online bets on a variety of sports via a gambling app, which jeopardizes his eligibility with Texas Tech.”
Sorsby, according to Thamel, also bet on Indiana football to win when he was a freshman there in 2022. Sorsby appeared in only one game for the Hoosiers and did not bet on the game in which he played.
Sorsby transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech this offseason to become the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdown with five interceptions and was considered one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
He was set to make $5 million at Texas Tech this season, according to Thamel.
Backing up Sorsby is Will Hammond, who shined in a win over Utah last season, but Hammond is recovering from an October ACL tear and is not expected to be ready for the season opener, per McGuire.