(BCSNN) — Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has retained prominent sports attorney Jeffrey Kessler to pursue a path toward regaining his college eligibility, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter.

Sorsby is currently under NCAA investigation for sports gambling and entered a residential treatment program Monday for a gambling addiction.

Kessler, one of the most influential antitrust attorneys in American sports, has a long history of successful litigation against the NCAA. He served as a lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the landmark House v. NCAA case and has represented the NFLPA in high‑profile matters involving Tom Brady, Ray Rice, Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson and players involved in the Saints’ “Bountygate” case.

The NCAA prohibits student‑athletes from betting on college or professional sports. Industry sources told ESPN that Sorsby placed thousands of online wagers across multiple sports, including bets on Indiana football games in 2022, when he was a redshirt freshman with the Hoosiers. Under NCAA guidelines updated in 2023, wagering on one’s own team or other sports at one’s own school can result in permanent loss of eligibility.

If Kessler and Sorsby cannot secure reinstatement, Sorsby could pursue the NFL Supplemental Draft, which has no formal deadline and requires league review of the applicant’s circumstances. No supplemental draft pick has been made since 2019, and Sorsby would be the most prominent entrant since Josh Gordon (2012) and Terrelle Pryor (2011).

Sorsby entered the offseason as ESPN’s No. 1‑ranked transfer, joining a Texas Tech program coming off a 12–2 season, a Big 12 championship, and a College Football Playoff berth. He earned second‑team All‑Big 12 honors last season at Cincinnati after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, and was projected as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. He was also expected to be among the highest‑paid quarterbacks in college football, with compensation exceeding $5 million.

Sorsby’s case arrives amid heightened national scrutiny of sports wagering in college athletics. Recent years have seen multiple athletes face suspensions, permanent ineligibility or criminal charges related to gambling activity. Sorsby has not been tied to any illegal activity, but his case is expected to test the NCAA’s reinstatement framework and could influence future precedent.

Texas Tech has expressed support for Sorsby as he undergoes treatment, but his availability for the 2026 season remains uncertain.