Draft - Football Wiretap

Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby said Tuesday he will not pursue litigation against the NFL and is now focused on preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft. The league confirmed the decision in a memo sent to all 32 teams.

The NFL memo stated Sorsby will be classified as a draft-eligible player for the 2027 draft and cannot sign a contract until that process concludes.

"I accept 100% responsibility for my actions," said Sorsby in a statement provided to The Athletic. "I did not have control of my gambling problem and it took getting caught for me to realize that, but it was truly the best thing that could've happened to me. Because of this, I have been able to get the help I need and fully focus on my recovery."

A league source told The Athletic the NFL has agreed not to discipline Sorsby for previously known misconduct, though it retains the right to investigate further and factor past behavior into any future violations.

Sorsby, 22, has been without a clear path forward since April, when he entered a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction. The NCAA later ruled him permanently ineligible after finding he violated several gambling rules, including wagering on his own team while at Indiana. His appeal was dismissed with prejudice on June 18.

Sorsby had pivoted toward the NFL Supplemental Draft after his college eligibility fight collapsed, but the league declined to hold a supplemental draft in 2026, narrowing his options considerably.

According to The Athletic, Sorsby has admitted to betting at least $90,000 across more than 9,000 wagers during his college career at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech, including bets on Indiana football and men's basketball games.

With college football and a 2026 NFL debut both off the table, Sorsby's most realistic near-term option appears to be the UFL, where co-owner Mike Repole has publicly invited him to join. Sorsby has not addressed whether he is considering that opportunity.

The NFL has informed Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby that no supplemental draft will be held in 2026, effectively blocking his path to the league this year, according to a letter reviewed by The Athletic.

Sorsby, 22, declared his intention to enter the supplemental draft on June 15, one week before the application deadline. The NFL said it had no plans to conduct a supplemental draft prior to Sorsby's submission, as no other player had sought entry.

The league's letter cited serious integrity concerns as a central factor in its decision. Larry Ferazani, general counsel of the NFL Management Council, wrote that Sorsby's petition provided no information about the basis or timing of the NCAA's permanent ineligibility ruling, and failed to demonstrate accountability.

"Over the course of your collegiate career, you knowingly engaged in repeated and significant violations of NCAA rules designed to preserve the integrity of athletic competition," Ferazani wrote. "Reported conduct includes placing wagers on your own team and teammates and, to avoid detection, establishing or funding accounts in the names of intermediaries who placed bets on your behalf.

"Your Petition does not address these matters. Nor does it demonstrate accountability for your conduct or indicate whether, or how, you would adhere to the League's rules and policies governing the integrity of competition."

Sorsby acknowledged wagering at least $90,000 across more than 9,000 bets during his college career at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. He entered a gambling addiction treatment facility in April. His lawsuit against the NCAA was dismissed on June 18, restoring the organization's permanent ineligibility ruling.

The NFL directed Sorsby toward the 2027 annual draft, noting he is "a talented player with the potential for future success." The supplemental draft has not produced a selection since safety Jalen Thompson in 2019.

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will apply for the NFL supplemental draft, ending a legal battle over his college eligibility after the NCAA ruled him ineligible for placing more than 9,000 bets totaling at least $90,000 on professional and college sports over four years.

The decision marks a reversal for Sorsby, who had secured a temporary injunction from a Texas judge on June 8 that appeared to clear a path for him to play for the Red Raiders in 2026. Texas Tech board of regents chairman Cody Campbell said Monday that Sorsby would not be part of the program this fall and called the supplemental draft the only viable path forward.

Campbell also confirmed Texas Tech would not seek the return of any NIL payments made to Sorsby during his time with the program.

The Big 12 filed for a federal injunction Monday morning seeking the right to discipline Sorsby under conference rules. The NCAA separately requested an expedited appeals court ruling on his eligibility before the start of the football season. Campbell cited the NFL's supplemental draft deadline of June 22 as leaving no practical way to resolve all pending legal matters in time.

Sorsby was originally ruled ineligible after the NCAA found he had wagered on professional and college sports while enrolled at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. At least 40 of those bets involved Indiana football during his freshman season with the Hoosiers in 2022.

Attorney Jeffrey Kessler told ESPN that Sorsby's legal team plans to withdraw its lawsuit against the NCAA, a move expected to render him ineligible under NCAA rules while leaving him free to pursue the supplemental draft.

The supplemental draft, first held in 1977, allows teams to bid future draft picks on eligible players. The league has not conducted one since 2023, and no player has been selected in one since the Arizona Cardinals took safety Jalen Thompson with a fifth-round bid in 2019.

Following the discovery of his betting activity, Sorsby completed a 35-day in-patient rehabilitation program to address a gambling addiction.

"I am grateful for the support from my family, my Tech coaching staff, teammates, the community, and so many others who have encouraged me to address and learn more about this important issue," Sorsby said in a statement Monday. "As my journey continues, I remain fully committed to and focused on being the best I can be, both on and off the field."

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark welcomed the resolution.

"It's been a challenging week for both our conference and the college athletics landscape," Yormark said. "The Big 12 looks forward to moving ahead as 16 strong. We wish Brendan Sorsby success in his future endeavors."

A Texas judge granted Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby a preliminary injunction Monday that blocks the NCAA from enforcing its ruling of permanent ineligibility against him, potentially clearing the way for him to play for the Red Raiders this fall.

Judge Ken Curry ruled that Sorsby's attorneys demonstrated he would suffer irreparable harm if barred from playing in 2026. As a condition of the injunction, Sorsby will sit out Texas Tech's first two games against Abilene Christian and Oregon State and must continue counseling and treatment for diagnosed gambling and anxiety disorders.

The NCAA declared Sorsby permanently ineligible after determining he had wagered approximately $90,000 on professional and college sports over four years, including 40 bets on Indiana football games during his freshman season in 2022. The organization denied Texas Tech's reinstatement appeal Friday.

"The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court's ruling in Sorsby's case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome," the NCAA said in a statement. "The NCAA is committed to supporting student-athlete mental health but must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity."

Sorsby's lead attorney Jeffrey Kessler framed the two-game suspension as a fair resolution.

"Brendan gets to devote himself to his team and the education of athletes on the dangers of gambling addiction," said Kessler. "He will continue his treatment, miss two games, and there is no injury to the competitive integrity of the NCAA. It is what we proposed and what the NCAA should have accepted."

Sorsby has acknowledged placing at least 2,900 bets totaling more than $30,000 during his two years at Indiana, at least 165 bets totaling $38,000 during two seasons at Cincinnati, and additional wagering after transferring to Texas Tech in January. He completed a 35-day inpatient rehabilitation program in Goodyear, Arizona in May.

The NCAA is expected to appeal, though the timing of any formal judicial resolution could extend beyond the 2026 season, rendering a ruling moot. The organization's president Charlie Baker called for congressional intervention, citing the Protect College Sports Act as necessary legislation.

Sorsby, a 6-foot-3 senior, threw for 7,208 yards and scored 82 total touchdowns at Indiana and Cincinnati and was ranked the top transfer quarterback this offseason. He faces a June 22 deadline to decide whether to enter the NFL supplemental draft. Texas Tech opens its season September 5 against Abilene Christian.

The Los Angeles Rams' surprising selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in April's NFL Draft was not made in isolation. It was directly informed by the team's confidence that a trade for Myles Garrett would get done, multiple team and league sources told The Athletic.

By the time the draft arrived, the Rams and Cleveland Browns had been in substantive talks for weeks. That shared confidence that the Garrett deal would be completed in large part drove Los Angeles to use a top-15 pick on a quarterback few analysts expected to go that early in the first round, sources said.

The reasoning was strategic. With reigning MVP Matthew Stafford now 38 years old and backup Jimmy Garoppolo contemplating retirement, the Rams had already identified a need to develop a longer-term solution at quarterback. Securing that position allowed them to deploy other future first-round picks on a transformative defensive acquisition.

"If you're gonna trade future first-round picks for a player, you had better know who your quarterback is gonna be," a high-ranking team source said.

Sources said McVay had privately praised Simpson for weeks before the draft and believed the organization could develop him into a legitimate starter, with Stafford providing a cushion of time for that transition. McVay's muted public response after the pick, which generated speculation at the time, was attributed to a desire to show deference to Stafford, who had not yet agreed to a new contract, and to a personal matter that arose immediately before his post-draft news conference.

The broader vision mirrors the formula that produced the Rams' Super Bowl LVI title, with one deliberate adjustment. That championship team was built around Stafford, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Cooper Kupp. This version centers on Garrett, cornerback Trent McDuffie, receiver Puka Nacua, and Stafford again. The key difference is what comes after.

"Built better," in the words of one team source, with a cost-controlled quarterback already in place on the other side of a potential title run.

Arch Manning, nephew of former No. 1 overall picks Peyton and Eli, enters the 2027 NFL Draft cycle as the clear favorite to go first overall, opening at +250 at DraftKings and BetRivers and +180 at FanDuel as he returns to Texas for another season. The early market activity follows a remarkable 2026 draft cycle in which Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was available at 40-to-1 odds a year before ultimately becoming the top overall selection.

"I think Manning is going to stay the favorite," DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello said. "Dante Moore is a quality kid, and CJ Carr had a tremendous season. But I don't think there will be any change before the season starts."

Oregon's Moore sits second in the market at +380 to +500, with Michigan's Carr ranging from +500 to +650. A quarterback has gone first overall in eight of the last nine drafts.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith represents the most credible non-quarterback threat, listed around +1000. He led the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards last season while playing alongside Carnell Tate, selected fourth overall in the 2026 draft.

Defensive prospects could also factor in. The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler projects South Carolina pass rusher Dylan Stewart and Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons as top-seven selections, each carrying roughly 20-to-1 odds to go first.

"A dominant pass rusher is more likely to emerge for the top pick than another quarterback," said professional sports bettor and draft specialist Jay Romano. "If a star QB goes down and a surprise team gets the No. 1 pick, they could go for a big-time pass rusher."

In 2004, Eli Manning and his family publicly refused to play for the team that drafted him. The same Manning family dynamic could theoretically surface again with Arch.

"We haven't factored a scenario like that in too much," a FanDuel trader said, "but if that becomes a possibility as the season progresses, we will adjust accordingly."

The Mendoza precedent serves as a reminder of how quickly the market can shift. After Indiana's 4-0 start last season, his odds dropped to +700 at FanDuel before he ultimately cashed at 40-to-1 preseason odds. Trinidad Chambliss offers a more recent example, jumping to +1000 odds after an electric CFP quarterfinal performance against Georgia before returning to Ole Miss and falling back to 100-to-1 at BetRivers for 2027.

"You could've had Mendoza at 40-to-1 last year," Avello said. "There are some good payouts out there. Got to get lucky, pick a number, and the guy has to do well. It only takes one guy to win it."

The Los Angeles Rams may have guaranteed Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson a draft position before the 2026 NFL Draft even began. An NFL executive told The Athletic that general manager Les Snead reached an agreement with agent Jimmy Sexton ensuring Simpson would not fall past the 13th pick.

"I was told that Les made a deal with Jimmy Sexton when the kid was coming out and promised him he'd get no lower than them," the executive said.

Los Angeles selected Simpson with the 13th overall pick, a move that generated significant discussion given that veteran Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, remains the team's starter. Sean McVay's visible reaction at the pick raised eyebrows among observers, though league executives suggested the response may have been calculated.

"If they planned this to play out the way it did, it was genius," one executive said.

Some around the league believe McVay was protecting Stafford's feelings publicly while privately endorsing the selection. Stafford has had contract disagreements with the organization in recent seasons, and negotiations on a contract adjustment were ongoing this spring.

"Sean runs the show there," one executive said. "He is just using the GM to save face and look good for Matthew."

Adding another layer of uncertainty, initial reports indicated McVay and Simpson had not spoken before the draft. That account has since changed, with sources indicating the two talked for several hours.

A quarterbacks coach consulted earlier in the offseason offered measured praise for Simpson's ceiling.

"McVay will get everything there is to get from that kid," the coach said. "Whatever you can get from Brock Purdy, you can get from this kid."

With the 2026 NFL Draft complete, ESPN has released its way-too-early 2027 mock draft. The class projects as one of the deepest in recent memory, with four quarterbacks expected in the first round and exceptional offensive talent throughout.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning leads the class and projects as the top overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals. Three signal-callers follow him in the top 14, including Oregon's Dante Moore (No. 3, Jets), Notre Dame's CJ Carr (No. 4, Browns), and Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker (No. 14, Steelers).

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith slots second overall to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, who parted with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this offseason, need elite pass-catching talent. Smith draws comparisons to Andre Johnson and Julio Jones.

The draft order is derived from the inverse of current Super Bowl odds at DraftKings. ESPN notes that of 32 players featured in last year's early mock, 12 ultimately went in Round 1 and four returned to school.

Offensive and defensive linemen dominate picks six through 12, reflecting long-term roster needs across multiple rebuilding franchises. Defensive backs become a priority from picks eight through 18.

Full First-Round Projections

1. Arizona Cardinals: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
2. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
3. New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
4. Cleveland Browns: CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
6. Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
7. Tennessee Titans: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
9. New Orleans Saints: Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
10. New York Giants: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
11. Washington Commanders: Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
12. New York Jets (from IND): David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
13. Minnesota Vikings: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Damon Wilson II, Edge, Miami
16. Chicago Bears: Ahmad Moten Sr., DT, Miami
17. New York Jets (via DAL): Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU
20. Denver Broncos: A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
21. Detroit Lions: Cayden Green, G, Missouri
22. Houston Texans: Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
23. Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
24. Los Angeles Chargers: Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
25. New England Patriots: Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
26. Philadelphia Eagles: KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
27. San Francisco 49ers: Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Quincy Rhodes Jr., Edge, Arkansas
29. Baltimore Ravens: Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
30. Seattle Seahawks: Yhonzae Pierre, Edge, Alabama
31. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
32. Los Angeles Rams: Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, one of college football's most prominent players entering 2026, is entering a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction, the university announced Monday. The NCAA is investigating his eligibility following the discovery of thousands of online bets placed across multiple sports.

Sorsby, the No. 1 ranked player in ESPN's transfer portal rankings this offseason, was projected to earn more than $5 million at Texas Tech and was considered a strong 2027 NFL Draft candidate. He transferred from Cincinnati, where he threw for 27 touchdowns and rushed for nine more last season.

Sources indicate Sorsby placed bets on Indiana football while redshirting with the Hoosiers in 2022, appearing in just one game that season. The wagers were placed on Indiana to win and did not involve any contest in which he participated. No law enforcement interest has been identified, and no connection to game-fixing has emerged.

Under current NCAA guidelines, athletes who bet on their own school's sports face permanent loss of eligibility. Betting on a different school within the same sport carries a potential 50% reduction of one season of eligibility.

"We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help," Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. "Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health."

Sorsby's situation is being treated as a mental health matter with no set treatment timetable. His decision to enter a facility while actively enrolled as a high-profile college athlete is considered unprecedented.

Complicating matters further, Cincinnati sued Sorsby for $1 million in late February for breach of contract following his transfer to Texas Tech. His attorneys filed a motion Monday to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the penalty violates Ohio law.

Texas Tech's quarterback depth is thin without Sorsby. Backup Will Hammond is recovering from an October ACL tear and is not expected to be available until at least Week 3 of the season.

With the 2026 NFL Draft complete, attention is already shifting toward what many expect to be one of the most anticipated draft classes in recent memory. Texas quarterback Arch Manning headlines a group of prospects generating significant early buzz, driven largely by an intriguing quarterback pool.

Manning projects as the clear favorite for the top overall selection, with the Arizona Cardinals slotted first based on current Super Bowl odds. Had he entered the 2026 class, Manning's presence would have dominated pre-draft conversation alongside eventual top pick Fernando Mendoza.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, a Miami native, lands second to the Dolphins. The comparison drawn is to the 2004 draft, when Arizona bypassed quarterbacks to select Larry Fitzgerald, a prospect simply too exceptional to pass on regardless of positional value.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore slots third to the Cleveland Browns, who built a capable offense around him through strong 2026 draft additions. Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore projects fourth to the Jets, with scouts noting only a quarterback-heavy top five as the potential obstacle to his rise.

South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart rounds out the top five, landing with the Tennessee Titans. Despite a quieter 2025 season following a Freshman All-America campaign, his physical tools, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, remain highly coveted at the position.

Several quarterbacks beyond Manning draw attention deeper in the mock, including Notre Dame's CJ Carr and Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, signaling this class could deliver multiple first-round signal-callers.

 2027 NFL Mock Draft, First Round

1. Arizona Cardinals: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
2. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
3. Cleveland Browns: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
4. New York Jets: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
5. Tennessee Titans: Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
7. New Orleans Saints: Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
9. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
10. Carolina Panthers: A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
11. New York Giants: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
12. Minnesota Vikings: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
14. Washington Commanders: Ahmad Moten Sr., DT, Miami
15. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Jacarrius Peak, OT, South Carolina
18. Chicago Bears: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
19. New York Jets (via Dallas): Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay): Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
21. Denver Broncos: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
22. Houston Texans: Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
23. Detroit Lions: Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Teitum Tuioti, Edge, Oregon
25. New England Patriots: Damon Wilson II, Edge, Miami
26. Kansas City Chiefs: Ty Benefield, S, LSU
27. San Francisco 49ers: Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon
28. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Moore, WR, Clemson
29. Baltimore Ravens: Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
30. Buffalo Bills: David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
31. Seattle Seahawks: Will Heldt, Edge, Clemson
32. Los Angeles Rams: Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama