NCAA files appeal in Brendan Sorsby case, seeks stay of injunction

The legal situation around Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is becoming more complicated.

On Monday, one week after Sorsby secured a temporary injunction restoring his NCAA eligibility, the Big 12 sued Texas Tech for the right to sanction the school if Sorsby plays in any games. Also on Monday, the NCAA filed its appeal of last week’s ruling in Sorsby’s favor.

Via Pete Thamel of ESPN, the NCAA wants a stay of the injunction. The NCAA also seeks an expedited briefing schedule aimed at resolving the appeal before the start of the 2026 college football season.

That won’t help Sorsby, if he loses. He has until June 22 to apply for the NFL’s supplemental draft. If he doesn’t, and if the NCAA wins an appeal by the start of the college football season, he’ll have nowhere to play this year.

Between the appeal and the Big 12’s lawsuit against Texas Tech, Sorsby should reconsider whether to abandon his fight and enter the supplemental draft by next Monday. This assumes the NFL will welcome him to the next level, without feeling compelled to simulate the NCAA’s punishment — like the league did in 2011 when Terrelle Pryor entered the supplemental draft while facing a five-game suspension.