Transfer QB Brendan Sorsby could be Texas Tech’s next breakout star as analysts compare him to Fernando Mendoza entering a loaded Big 12 season.
Texas Tech football enters the 2026 season with a massive target on its back, and the spotlight may ultimately land on one player in transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
After a 12–2 season, Big 12 championship, and College Football Playoff appearance, the Red Raiders are reloading through the transfer portal, and Sorsby could determine whether the program remains a national contender.
The Texas Tech quarterback transfer from Cincinnati has quickly become one of the most talked-about additions in the Big 12.
National analyst Josh Pate believes Sorsby could be the most impactful transfer quarterback in the conference this year, especially with Texas Tech needing new leadership under center.
“Brenden Sorsby going to Texas Tech from Cincinnati is another really big one because this is to me a very clear upgrade at the quarterback position,” Pate said.
The intrigue surrounding Sorsby isn’t just about replacing production. It’s about the possibility that he could explode onto the national stage the same way Fernando Mendoza unexpectedly did.
“And I wrote down the ‘Next Mendoza’ question mark. I don’t mean that to say talent for talent. What I’m saying is Mendoza was kind of a surprise to a lot of people. And I kind of wonder, are Brenden Sorsby’s got that possibility about him? In a perfect situation, he takes people by surprise,” Pate said.
That “perfect situation” might exist in Lubbock.
Head coach Joey McGuire has quietly assembled one of the deepest rosters in the Big 12.
Texas Tech currently boasts the No. 1 recruiting and transfer class in the conference, highlighted by 42 total commitments, including 12 four-star prospects and two five-star recruits.
Sorsby also inherits a talented supporting cast.
Wide receiver Coy Eakin returns as a proven weapon, while former five-star recruit Micah Hudson remains one of the most explosive playmakers on the roster.
In the backfield, the Red Raiders expect the return of USC transfer Quinten Joyner, who should pair with Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams to give Texas Tech a balanced offense.
Even with that firepower, repeating as Big 12 champions will not be easy.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 3,033 yards last season, and the Cougars are coming off their own 12-2 campaign.
Arizona’s Noah Fifita enters his fourth season as a starter, while Utah’s Devon Dampier leads a talented roster under new head coach Morgan Scalley.
Still, the biggest mystery—and the biggest opportunity—belongs to Sorsby.
If Pate’s “Next Mendoza” prediction proves accurate, Texas Tech may not just defend its conference title. The Red Raiders could once again find themselves chasing something even bigger.