The Cincinnati Bearcats find themselves entangled in a gambling investigation involving former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who’s now with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The situation could threaten Sorsby’s entire season and potentially impact Cincinnati’s program.
Sorsby has been confirmed to have placed bets on college football games while playing for the Indiana Hoosiers, including wagering on his own team’s games. The investigation remains ongoing regarding whether he continued betting during his time with Cincinnati.
No concrete evidence has emerged showing Sorsby bet on Bearcats games while in the program.
USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer argues both Cincinnati and Sorsby should face consequences if anyone in the Bearcats program knew about the gambling activity.
“If Cincinnati knew about Sorsby’s activity and turned a blind eye to it, the institution should face penalty. So, too, should Sorsby. He’s not the victim of this story … But, make no mistake, if Sorsby bet on sports, he broke the NCAA’s rules, and no matter the temptation, nobody’s more responsible for that rule-violating behavior than Sorsby himself.”
The precedent for gambling violations in college athletics has been severe. Multiple basketball players have received permanent bans for similar violations:
• Arizona State’s BJ Freeman
• New Orleans’ Cedquavious Hunter, Dyquavious Short, and Jamond Vincent
• Mississippi Valley State’s Donovan Sanders and Alvin Stredic
Sorsby’s case carries additional weight because he bet on games involving his own team at Indiana.
State gaming regulators in both Indiana and Ohio are pursuing the case against Sorsby. The multi-state investigation creates a challenging legal landscape for the quarterback, regardless of whether evidence emerges connecting him to betting while at Cincinnati.
Sorsby’s Current Status
Texas Tech hasn’t officially suspended Sorsby. The university has placed him on an “indefinite leave of absence” while the investigation continues.
Sorsby has retained attorney Jeffrey Kessler to challenge the NCAA and fight for his eligibility restoration. Kessler specializes in high-profile NCAA cases and represents athletes in eligibility disputes.
The Red Raiders invested heavily in Sorsby through the transfer portal, with reports suggesting a deal worth approximately $6.5 million. Texas Tech isn’t rushing to impose additional disciplinary measures beyond the leave of absence.
Sorsby’s legal challenge will play out in Lubbock’s district court. The local venue could provide some advantage for the quarterback’s case.
If Sorsby can’t regain his college eligibility, he might pursue the NFL through alternative routes. The supplemental draft represents one potential option, though the league doesn’t hold one every year.
The investigation’s timeline remains unclear. Both Cincinnati and Texas Tech are waiting for more information before determining their next steps in what’s become one of college football’s most significant gambling scandals.
