Even after Brendan Sorsby left Texas Tech, the Big 12 hasn’t dropped its litigation tied to the NCAA eligibility probe that reached a Texas judge and then sparked threats of a boycott. Big 12 officials say they’ll meet with member schools next week, with possi
Brendan Sorsby may have already moved on from Texas Tech, but the legal fight around his NCAA eligibility isn’t over. The Big 12 conference still has not dropped its litigation against Texas Tech, even as the quarterback prepares to enter the NFL supplemental draft.
Sorsby’s situation began with an NCAA eligibility probe. He admitted to gambling on his team’s games in the past. which led the NCAA to rule him ineligible to play college football in 2026. A Texas judge then overruled the NCAA, ruling that Sorsby would be eligible—setting off a firestorm across college football.
Schools threatened to boycott games against Texas Tech after the judge’s decision. The Big 12 also sued to stop Sorsby from playing.
For all of that courtroom motion and the immediate backlash it triggered, the case still has life in it. A Big 12 source said, “We don’t know the answer to those questions. We haven’t done anything different at this point. We’re going to reconvene next week to run through all the options. Right now that case is still active.”.
The next steps matter to more than just Texas Tech and Sorsby. Big 12 top officials plan to meet with member schools in the coming days to discuss what happens next.
One issue reportedly on the table is whether the Big 12 will sanction Texas Tech in some way. An unnamed Big 12 athletic director said. “There may need to be consequences for Texas Tech. even if it works out this way. It was pointed out there’s been legal fees involved in this action. Is it right for all 16 schools to share in those legal fees when we didn’t have anything to do with starting it?. Those are some of the things that are going to have to be worked out and they will be.”.
Texas Tech sits at the center of all this partly because of how much it has done on the field. The Red Raiders made the College Football Playoff during the 2025 season. and they are one of the strongest programs in the Big 12—meaning any lingering legal and conference fallout is likely to land with real weight.
The sequence here is simple: the NCAA’s ineligibility ruling was overturned by a Texas judge. schools reacted with threats to boycott. and the Big 12 pressed forward with its own lawsuit. Now. with Sorsby planning for the NFL supplemental draft and Texas Tech still facing potential conference consequences. the Big 12’s insistence that the case remains active keeps the pressure on—and ensures the aftermath will be talked about well beyond the last whistle.
Brendan Sorsby Texas Tech Big 12 NCAA eligibility gambling NFL supplemental draft lawsuit boycott threats College Football Playoff 2025