Texas Tech is standing behind Brendan Sorsby as the quarterback battles NCAA eligibility issues tied to a gambling addiction case.
FRISCO - Texas Tech’s quarterback room has turned into one of the messiest storylines in college football, and Joey McGuire isn’t running from it.
The Red Raiders coach made it clear Thursday at the Big 12 spring meetings in Frisco, Texas, that Texas Tech will continue supporting transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby after the NCAA initially denied his petition for reinstatement.
Sorsby was ruled ineligible after acknowledging he bet on sports, including wagers involving his own team, when he was a freshman at Indiana.
That’s serious. McGuire isn’t pretending otherwise. But he also doesn’t believe one mistake should wipe out Sorsby’s entire future.
“We're here to support Brendan. I do believe that he made a mistake, and whenever that happens, I do believe there should be consequences,” McGuire said.
“But it's my opinion that he shouldn't be penalized for the rest of this year, or his career.”
Sorsby, one of the biggest transfer additions of the offseason after coming over from Cincinnati, had been expected to compete for the starting job in Lubbock.
He also reportedly landed a multimillion-dollar deal for what was supposed to be his final college season.
Instead, his status is now tied up in an NCAA appeal and a lawsuit in Lubbock County seeking an injunction that would allow him to play.
A hearing in that case is scheduled for Monday.
Sorsby recently completed an inpatient treatment program for gambling addiction, and McGuire said he has spoken with him multiple times since he left the facility.
For now, Sorsby can still participate in offseason activities while Texas Tech keeps fighting for his eligibility.
“I told him to go home for a few days and take a deep breath, and we'll get him back on campus here in a few days,” McGuire said.
“We're here to support him in every way. And at the end of the day, whatever the ruling is, we're gonna support him 100 percent. He chose Texas Tech, so he's a Red Raider.
"He's gonna be a Red Raider for life, and I'll be a part of his life and help him in any way I can.”
If Sorsby can’t play, Texas Tech’s fallback is Will Hammond, who tore the ACL in his right knee during a 42-0 win over Oklahoma State last October.
McGuire said Hammond is progressing well and could be cleared around Aug. 21, though that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be ready for the Sept. 5 opener against Abilene Christian.
“So he's in a good spot. I mean, we're really fortunate to have Will Hammond,” McGuire said.
The Red Raiders wanted stability at quarterback. Instead, they’ve got a legal fight, an NCAA appeal and a rehab timeline.
Welcome to modern college football.
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