Brendan Sorsby Declares for NFL’s Supplemental Draft

Despite getting the temporary injunction and institutional support from his school that he was hoping for, Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby is now looking to head to the NFL rather than attempt to take the field for another collegiate season.

In the latest turn of events in the ongoing saga, Sorsby is reportedly applying to enter the NFL's supplemental draft, which allows a weighted order of NFL teams to bid future draft capital to add a late-declaring rookie to their roster.

For more on how Sorsby and Texas Tech got to this place, Red Raider Roundtable writer Timothy Hamm has an in-depth look at the timeline, including every twist and turn.

Sorsby could spark the NFL to utilize the supplemental draft for the first time since 2019 when Washington Huskies safety Jalen Thompson was selected by the Arizona Cardinals for a 2020 fifth-round selection.

Doing so isn't likely to reverse the damage done in regards to the faulty precedent now set in the NCAA's illegal gambling enforcement, but opens the path for Sorsby to continue his playing days at the next level.

Teams like the Cardinals, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers could all be seen as possible landing places for the passer through the draft process. Should no team decide to add him by leveraging a future selection, he will become an undrafted free agent in the league, allowing him to sign where he pleases. 

As for the Red Raiders, they'll turn over quarterbacking duties to Will Hammond, who is recovering from an ACL injury and may not be ready to start the season, but should be able to return to the field in the early weeks.

With some promising quarterback play still in line and explosive weapons on offense, Texas Tech should still be seen as a contender in the Big 12 despite the loss of Sorsby.