(BCSNN) — Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has taken an “immediate indefinite leave of absence” from the football program to enter a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction, the school announced earlier this week. The NCAA has opened an investigation into the for Hoosier and Bearcat quarterback's gambling activity, several industry sources reported.

Sorsby, a fifth‑year senior who was one of the most coveted transfers in the "wild west" portal this past offseason, arrived at Texas Tech in January after two seasons at Cincinnati. The Red Raiders said they are committed to supporting him through treatment, and no timetable has been set for his return.

“We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” head coach Joey McGuire said. “Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person.”

Industry sources confirmed an ESPN report that Sorsby placed bets on Indiana football games in 2022, when he was a redshirt freshman with the Hoosiers. Sources also indicated Sorsby placed hundreds, possibly thousands of wagers in recent years, mostly small‑dollar bets across various sports. Some wagers — such as live bets at Cincinnati Reds games or UFC events — are permissible under NCAA rules, but betting on one’s own school is not.

The Indiana Gaming Commission declined to release documents related to Sorsby, citing state law protecting investigatory records.

Under updated NCAA sports betting guidelines, athletes who bet on games involving their own school face potential permanent loss of eligibility. Betting on one’s own sport at another school could cost 50 percent of a season, while betting more than $800 on pro sports could result in a 30 percent suspension.

The NCAA declined to comment on the investigation, citing confidentiality rules, but said it “takes sports betting very seriously” and works with regulators and monitoring services to protect competitive integrity.

Sorsby has one year of eligibility remaining. If ruled ineligible, he could pursue the NFL Supplemental Draft, which typically takes place in July or August.

The quarterback is also facing a separate legal battle. The University of Cincinnati filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in liquidated damages, alleging Sorsby violated a multiseason revenue‑sharing agreement when he transferred. On Monday, Sorsby’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss, arguing the buyout is “an unreasonable penalty” under Ohio law and amounts to a “pay‑for‑play employment contract.” The motion also claims Cincinnati selectively enforced similar clauses with other players.

A ruling in Sorsby’s favor could have broader implications for the enforceability of revenue‑sharing contracts across college athletics.

Sorsby’s arrival at Texas Tech was expected to stabilize the quarterback position for a program coming off a 12–2 season, a Big 12 championship, and its first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. He was projected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference after totaling more than 2,800 passing yards, 500 rushing yards, and 36 total touchdowns last season at Cincinnati.

With Sorsby now unavailable and Will Hammond still recovering from an ACL tear suffered last October, Texas Tech faces significant uncertainty at quarterback as the 2026 season approaches. The only thing that's certain, is that Sorsby's gambling wasn't an issue at Indiana or Cincinnati - where it was well-known that it was going on. So why is it now?