Texas Tech tried to make Brendan Thorsby look like a victim. I didn’t buy it, the Big 12 didn’t buy it, the NFL didn’t buy it.
Thorsby had been breaking NCAA gambling rules for years. He bet on his team. After his arrest, he confessed to being addicted to sports gambling and entered a recovery program.
He’s a rule breaker, an addict, and a talented quarterback.
He’s not, it’s the victim.
Betting on sports doesn’t make Thorsby a bad guy, but he’s definitely responsible for the mess he’s in.
If Thorsby overcomes his gambling addiction, he may have a future in the NFL. However, that is not the case this season.
The NFL announced it would decline to hold an additional draft that could have allowed Thorsby to join the professional roster in time for this season.
I’m not blaming the NFL. It’s Sorsby’s fault. This adversity he is facing is self-inflicted. He repeatedly broke the black and white rule. College football players can’t bet on college football, NFL concedes Texas judge ignored: Thorsby’s actions raise integrity concerns.
NFL says Brendan Thorsby tried to avoid gambling consequences
The NFL does not need to conduct an additional draft. The league’s collective bargaining agreement gives the NFL sole discretion over whether to enter into an agreement. No players have been selected with additional picks since 2019.
Let’s watch Thorsby go a year without betting on sports, and then let’s talk about Thorsby in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s basically what the NFL said, but denied drafting him additionally.
“The issues raised in your petition are too serious and inextricably tied to the league’s core bona fide interests to receive meaningful consideration within the time frame provided,” NFL Governing Council General Counsel Larry Ferrazzani said in a letter to Thorsby rejecting the supplemental draft petition.
In effect, the NFL has said the quiet part out loud: Mr. Sausby, you are not special. You are a rule breaker who puts yourself in a bad position.
“After receiving notice in May of the NCAA’s decision to revoke your college eligibility, rather than accept responsibility for your actions, you sought to avoid the consequences of that decision through litigation and pursued entry into the NFL only after abandoning that effort,” Ferrazzani wrote to Thorsby.
For Thorsby, these must be hard truths to hear, but they are true nonetheless.
Thorsby developed a gambling habit that put his right to play in 2026 at risk.
“By all accounts, you are a talented player with potential for future success, and I encourage you to focus on preparing for the NFL through the 2027 NFL Draft,” Ferrazzani added.
In response, Thorsby’s lawyers threatened further action in comments to multiple media outlets, including USA TODAY. The only winners in this story are still the lawyers and their billable hours.
Brendan Thorsby receives treatment for addiction and can enter 2027 NFL Draft
The NFL’s latest ruling may be exactly what Thorsby needs.
Instead of competing for a spot on the NFL depth chart over the next few months, Thorsby could focus on proving to NFL officials that he can overcome his addiction and avoid relapse. He could also use this time to work with a personal trainer to fine-tune his mechanics in preparation for next year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
Thorsby has the physical attributes to be a future NFL player, but those who know the league will say his form and mechanics need a little more polish.
If not for his gambling background, Thorsby would have been an interesting pro candidate. Throw in your gambling history and things get even more complicated.
Thorsby wouldn’t be the first NFL player to bet on college football. Kayshon Boutte illegally bet on college games while playing for LSU, including bets involving his own team. Boots was already in the NFL when he was caught gambling in the past. The league chose not to suspend him. He’s still in the NFL.
“Don’t give up” on athletes who develop gambling addictions, Boot wrote in a 2026 essay. “Maybe they just need help.”
If Sausby gets help and accepts responsibility for his mistakes, he could potentially get an NFL boot, but not this year.
It’s a sad story, but the NFL doesn’t view Thorsby as a victim and he doesn’t deserve a special path into the league. He is a recovering addict.
Blake Topmeyer is USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow at X @btoppmeyer.
