Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has spoken publicly about his gambling addiction and the damage it caused to his college football career in Paramount+’s new documentary, The Program: Texas Tech.

Sorsby transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech in January, arriving as one of the most highly regarded quarterbacks in college football. However, a subsequent investigation uncovered extensive betting activity, with Sorsby reportedly placing more than 9,000 wagers worth at least $90,000 during his college career.

The bets allegedly included at least 40 wagers backing Indiana while he was part of the program. Sorsby maintained that he never wagered on games in which he played.

Gambling Addiction Began in High School

In the documentary, Sorsby discusses how his gambling problems began in 2018, when he was attending Lake Dallas High School in Corinth, Texas.

“I liked gambling,” Sorsby 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.”

Sorsby played for Indiana University from 2022 to 2023 before transferring to Cincinnati for the 2024–25 season. He later joined Texas Tech, where he was expected to become a major contributor to the team's success.

Looking back on his time with his previous programs, Sorsby acknowledged that his gambling continued throughout his college career.

“I gambled all throughout my time at Indiana,” Sorsby admitted. “Pretty much all throughout my time in Cincinnati. I made some mistakes, especially early on, betting on my own team, which everybody knows.”

Texas Tech Opportunity Falls Apart

Sorsby's gambling problems persisted despite securing a name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreement reportedly worth $5 million for the 2026 season at Texas Tech.

He acknowledged that his behavior continued even when he had little reason to take financial risks.

“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.”

In April, Sorsby publicly disclosed his addiction and stepped away from the team to enter a residential treatment program.

NCAA Eligibility Decision Triggers Legal Dispute

After the NCAA permanently revoked Sorsby's remaining college eligibility, his legal representatives challenged the decision in court. A Texas state court initially granted a temporary injunction restoring his eligibility.

The ruling led to a wider dispute when the Big 12 Conference sued Texas Tech over the possibility of conference sanctions if Sorsby returned to play.

As administrative and legal complications mounted, Sorsby abandoned his challenge against the NCAA. The Big 12 subsequently withdrew its lawsuit against Texas Tech.

Sorsby later sought an opportunity to enter an NFL supplemental draft over the summer. However, the league declined to hold one.

In a letter, Lawrence Ferazani, general counsel for the NFL Management Council, said Sorsby's application did not demonstrate sufficient accountability or provide adequate assurance that he would comply with NFL competition policies.

Documentary Reveals Emotional Toll

Sorsby is expected to sit out the 2026 season while preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, on September 2, the NCAA formally cleared the University of Cincinnati of institutional wrongdoing related to Sorsby's time at the school.

The Program: Texas Tech documents the crisis as it unfolded within the team's facilities, featuring interviews with players, staff members, and Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire. One particularly emotional scene shows McGuire addressing the team to explain Sorsby's initial departure.

Sorsby also reflects on how his addiction remained hidden from those around him and describes the moment his situation became public.

“I was walking around the facility, and nobody knew I had a problem gambling,” Sorsby reflected. “I know how quickly you can lose money. I know how quickly things can go wrong. Everything can get ripped from you.

“Once [the news] finally came out, I was on the phone with my parents and agent, sitting there bawling my eyes out. In my head, I’m thinking, I just threw everything I’ve worked for my entire life out the window. Coach McGuire and I sat down in his office, and there were a lot of tears shed between the two of us.”

Sorsby's experience highlights the potentially devastating consequences of gambling addiction in college athletics, where athletes face significant professional expectations and heightened scrutiny. With his college career interrupted, his attention now turns to recovery and preparation for a possible NFL opportunity in 2027.