Despite Brendan Sorsby receiving an injunction from the Lubbock County Court, the Texas Tech quarterback’s path to take the field for the Red Raiders is not as easy as it seems.
In a shocking move, the Big 12 Conference seems set for war and has now filed a legal complaint in federal court against Texas Tech as well as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The conference is seeking a preliminary injunction calling for sanctions on the program for their plans to let Brendan Sorsby play.
While the conference is not looking for damages or challenging the County Court’s decision, it is instead seeking permission to levy penalties against the Red Raiders.
Per reports, the Big 12 officials made a request to the Texas Tech leaders not to play Brendan Sorsby, which was denied. While the severity of the sanctions has not been revealed yet, the complaint claims:
“If a vote were to occur, however, some of the potential sanctions the Board could consider under the bylaws include monetary sanctions and/or a ban on competing in the Big 12 Championship Game.”
Also stated in the complaint is the Big 12’s concern with its reputation taking a hit by allowing a player who broke the NCAA’s anti-gambling rules to play. The decision would also call into question the league’s integrity.
“There is considerable concern” that allowing Sorsby to compete could create “reputational harm and irreparable damage to public and member trust in the integrity of league competitions,” according to the filing.
While the Big 12 board members are scheduled to have a meeting today, an immediate response is not expected.
Who Is Brendan Sorsby’s Replacement If Texas Tech QB Is Denied Eligibility?
While Brendan Sorsby is expected to suit up in Week 3 of the upcoming season until there is an official ruling otherwise, Will Hammond, the Red Raiders’ backup signal-caller, is expected to fill in for Sorsby in the first two weeks.
Hammond, a redshirt sophomore, featured in eight contests for Texas Tech; every appearance was as a backup behind Behren Morten. Hammond managed to put up 680 passing yards and seven touchdowns in the 2025 season.
Speaking to the media recently, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire spoke on Hammond as a player, saying:
“He’s one of my favorite people I’ve been around. He’s very, very mature. He has a quality that we all can learn from, and it’s amazing that a young man like this has this quality. He is one of the best listeners I have ever met.”
Texas Tech opens its season against Abilene Christian on September 5th at 6:00 PM local time in Lubbock, Texas.
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