Former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby is taking decisive action to protect his football future. The signal-caller, who now plays for Texas Tech, has hired high-profile attorney Jeffrey Kessler to help preserve his college eligibility—or, if necessary, secure a path to the NFL Supplemental Draft.
According to reports from ESPN's Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter, Sorsby is currently under NCAA investigation for allegedly placing bets through a gambling app. While he hasn't officially lost his eligibility yet, the stakes couldn't be higher. If the investigation confirms gambling violations—particularly those involving football—a permanent ban from college athletics could be on the table.
The University of Cincinnati has stated they had no knowledge of any gambling involvement by Sorsby during his time there. Sources close to the program emphasized that UC would not have fielded a player known to be engaged in illegal betting. For context, NCAA rules allow student-athletes to bet on sports where the organization doesn't hold championships—like MMA, NASCAR, or horse racing—but wagering on baseball or football is strictly off-limits.
The controversy centers on reports that Sorsby used a gambling app to bet on Cincinnati Reds games, specifically on balls and strikes. This is particularly sensitive given that the Big 12 Conference partners with ProhiBet, a monitoring app designed to be installed on athletes' phones. While using a separate device could be a workaround, nothing has been confirmed at this point.
Jeffrey Kessler is no stranger to landmark sports cases. He famously represented former swimmer Grant House in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit, which paved the way for revenue-sharing agreements between colleges and athletes. That case resulted in power conferences setting aside $10.5 million annually for athlete compensation—a figure many schools now routinely exceed. Texas Tech, for instance, is believed to have paid up to $5 million for Sorsby's services, highlighting the high-stakes financial environment of modern college football.
If Sorsby is ultimately ruled ineligible and Kessler's legal efforts fall short, the next step would be an application to the NFL Supplemental Draft. The league would then review his case and determine whether he's eligible to enter. For a quarterback with Sorsby's talent, the outcome of this investigation could define the next chapter of his career—whether that's under the bright lights of college football or on an NFL roster.