College Football Hit With First Major Betting Scandal

It appears NCAA football has its first major betting scandal on its hands.

New Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby officially checked himself into a residential treatment program for gambling addiction. The news comes as reports surfaced that the NCAA was investigating the former Cincinnati star and suspected him of placing thousands of bets while playing Division I football. 

According to reports from ESPN, Sorsby placed wagers on his own team while redshirting at Indiana his freshman year. However, they did not confirm that he placed any wagers on games where he actually participated.

The quarterback transferred to Texas Tech as the top prospect in the portal. He was expected to compete for a Heisman Trophy and even a national championship. His addition was the latest addition in the program's aggressive revamp over the last few seasons, and Texas Tech has been publicly supportive of Sorsby.

"We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help," Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire shared in a statement. "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."

The NCAA has yet to make any official ruling on Sorsby’s eligibility status since the news broke. 

Why this scandal will hit harder

The NCAA has seen several scandals across college sports, including men’s college basketball. However, many of these involve largely unknown players at small schools, allowing them to escape the public’s attention. However, that won’t be the case for the Sorsby scandal.

College football continues to see its popularity grow, now rivaling the NFL as America’s favorite sport to watch and wager on. Football stars like Sorsby can now sign massive endorsement deals, allowing them to see millions of dollars before their college career’s end. While the sport has largely avoided major betting scandals in the past, Sorsby’s star status at a major program will make this one hit hard.

We are still waiting to hear more details about the NCAA’s investigation. However, the early reports suggest this was a young man who was truly struggling with addiction. That makes him a victim and an example of the dangerous impact it is having on America’s college-aged students. 

Regardless of the NCAA’s ruling, expect lawmakers to use this scandal to propose stricter problem gambling protocols for the online sports betting industry.