The NFL has decided not to hold a supplemental draft in 2026, which means Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not be able to enter the league through this route. The league's decision was influenced by concerns regarding timing and integrity, particularly in light of Sorsby's gambling violations that led to the end of his college football career.
In a letter dated June 23, the NFL informed Sorsby that his request for special eligibility had been denied. The league emphasized that it has the authority to decide whether to conduct a supplemental draft each year, and it had no plans to do so until Sorsby submitted his application. The last supplemental draft took place in 2019.
The NFL's letter criticized Sorsby’s petition, stating that it was submitted just three business days before the deadline and lacked supporting documentation. The league pointed out that Sorsby had previously abandoned legal efforts to challenge NCAA sanctions, which further weakened his case.
Brendan Sorsby faced significant scrutiny after admitting to placing over $90,000 in bets on both college and professional sports, including wagers on his own team. The NCAA subsequently declared him permanently ineligible due to a pattern of gambling violations across multiple institutions.
While the NFL acknowledged it did not have access to the complete NCAA investigative records, it noted that available evidence suggested Sorsby used intermediary accounts to place bets, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the game.
The league's letter indicated that the issues surrounding Sorsby’s petition were too significant to allow for a thorough review within the given timeline. An NFL source mentioned to ESPN that Sorsby’s application posed fundamental integrity issues for the league.
Furthermore, the NFL expressed concerns about Sorsby’s approach to the NCAA sanctions, stating that his petition did not adequately address the conduct that led to his suspension or demonstrate how he would comply with league integrity rules in the future.
Despite the NFL's decision, Sorsby’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, has challenged the league's portrayal of the process and hinted that further legal action may be forthcoming. Kessler noted that the league had only required a brief application for consideration.