The National Football League has declined the supplemental draft application of quarterback Brendan Sorsby, effectively closing the door on his immediate entry into professional football following a widely publicized gambling scandal. Sorsby, a former Texas Tech player, was permanently ruled ineligible by the NCAA after admitting to placing thousands of bets, including wagers on his own team.

The league informed Sorsby of its decision in a letter dated Tuesday, explaining that it would not hold a supplemental draft this year—a mechanism occasionally used to admit players whose college eligibility has been affected. Larry Ferazani, general counsel of the NFL Management Council, emphasized the league’s stance on accountability, noting that Sorsby had pursued legal action to overturn his NCAA ban rather than accepting responsibility for his conduct.

Sorsby’s troubles began after transferring to Texas Tech from Cincinnati, where he had earlier started his collegiate career at Indiana. Despite being highly regarded as a top quarterback transfer prospect, he never played a game for the Red Raiders. Before the season began, Sorsby was implicated in an NCAA investigation into his gambling activities and subsequently entered an in-patient treatment program for a gambling addiction in April.

Following the NCAA’s decision to permanently bar him from collegiate competition, Sorsby sued to challenge the ruling, citing a clinically diagnosed mental health condition. A Texas court granted him a temporary injunction permitting him to play after serving a two-game suspension, a move that sparked significant backlash within college sports. Many athletic directors and coaches condemned the decision, viewing it as undermining a fundamental rule of sports integrity.

Amid mounting pressure and controversy, Sorsby abandoned his legal fight against the NCAA and attempted to enter the NFL via the supplemental draft, which has not seen a player selected since 2019. The NFL, however, declined to facilitate his transition, citing concerns about his lack of accountability and failure to acknowledge the reasons behind his NCAA ineligibility in his application.

Ferazani’s letter underscored that the petition submitted by Sorsby did not adequately address the circumstances of his ban or demonstrate compliance with the NFL’s rules designed to uphold the integrity of the game. The league’s rejection leaves Sorsby sidelined for the 2026 season, requiring him to await the regular 2027 NFL draft for another opportunity.

Sorsby’s agent did not respond to requests for comment. The NFL’s decision highlights its firm position on maintaining competitive integrity and signals a clear consequence for players involved in gambling violations.