Brendan Sorsby’s past caught up to him in the ugliest manner possible. Just a couple of months after bagging a reported $5.1 million package from the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the star quarterback now stands to lose his eligibility. He’s now seeking legal help from one of the best in the business, in case the NCAA pulls the plug on Sorsby’s career.

On May 2, CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello reported on X that the Texas Tech QB had hired Jeffrey Kessler, amid the drama surrounding him because of this gambling scandal. The NCAA is currently investigating it, but since Sorsby was found to have placed a bet on his former team (Indiana) while being on its roster, he is in extremely hot water. According to the NCAA’s rulebook, this counts for an automatic loss in however much eligibility is left for such a player. Sorsby desperately needs this storm to pass without taking away what matters most to him, and that’s where Kessler comes into the picture.

If you follow sports law, Kessler is the lawyer who basically defeated the NCAA in the Supreme Court to allow players to get paid in the House vs NCAA case. He’s 2-0 against the organization, having also won the NCAA v. Alston case with a 9-0 shutout verdict at the Supreme Court in 2021. He convinced every single justice that the NCAA couldn’t stop schools from giving athletes education-related perks.

But Sorsby’s case is tricky. He reportedly placed over 10,000 bets across several years, which averages out to roughly 20 wagers a day. He is now in a residential treatment facility to deal with what his team is calling a serious addiction. Even though it was the necessary move for a controversy that darkened his future overnight, the repercussions are serious. He and Kessler have to tread carefully.

However, if Kessler can’t get the NCAA to budge, Sorsby’s college career is over. His only move left would be the NFL Supplemental Draft. This is a special version of the normal draft, meant for players who find themselves in such sudden and unfortunate cases. However, it doesn’t mean that players necessarily get drafted here. The last time the supplemental draft was held was in 2023, and neither of the two eligible players were drafted. The event is often wrapped up within ten minutes, and the teams selecting players from here have to give up a pick from that same round in next year’s regular draft.

The absence of a timeline for the NCAA’s decision is also something that could complicate this path for the QB. That makes the supplemental drafts his best shot at realizing a career in the NFL.

But the real question is, what’s next for Texas Tech if Brendan Sorsby is ruled ineligible or remains away from the team for treatment?

Texas Tech’s odds at quarterback aren’t looking that good

Unfortunately, Texas Tech is looking at a fairly inexperienced quarterback room. The portal is closed, so there’s no way to just go out and bring in a new starter right now. The Red Raiders will have to rely on depth.

Will Hammond is the guy the coaches really want. He was the primary backup last year and played well in relief. At one point, he was looking like the best backup in the Big 12 and the Power Four before tearing his ACL in October. He missed all of spring ball, but recently started throwing again.

There is cautious optimism that he could be ready for Week 1 against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. But if he’s not 100%, the team might have to wait until the Big 12 opener against the Houston Cougars to roll him out.

The job could alternatively then fall on Kirk Francis. He’s a transfer from the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and was originally brought in to be the third-string option. Unlike Hammond, he’s not much of a runner. He only has seven collegiate starts under his belt. He took most of the second-team reps during the spring and is currently the most experienced healthy option on the roster.

Then there’s Lloyd Jones, a redshirt freshman and former four-star recruit. He spent last year rehabbing a knee injury from high school and has only seen garbage-time action. Their last option would be a true freshman who just got to campus, Steph Cannon. But whoever the new QB1 is, Texas Tech is at a pretty tough spot.

Having been to the playoffs for the first time last season, the program was hoping to go further with a veteran and talented QB like Brendan Sorsby. Now, fans are not sure how many wins Texas Tech would grab without him.