Brendan Sorsby’s status for the 2026 college season is up in the air, and all roads are currently pointing to the supplemental draft. How high of a 2027 draft pick will NFL teams be willing to invest?
Brendan Sorsby 2026 Supplemental Draft Profile
Measurables
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 235 Pounds
Statistics
2025 (Cincinnati): 207 from 336, for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and 5 interceptions
2024 (Cincinnati): 249 from 389, for 2,813 yards, 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions
2023 (Indiana): 135 from 236, for 1,587 yards, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions
Brendan Sorsby Supplemental Draft Tape Study
Games Watched: vs Nebraska, at Utah and at TCU
Strengths
Sorsby has good size and the frame to stand up to NFL punishment. For a big quarterback, he moves extremely well, and he’s dangerous as a runner, whether it is a designed run or one created outside of structure. He has the strength to break tackles and enough speed to have to be accounted for by defenses.
Listed at 6'3" 235 lbs, Brendan Sorsby can run! Smart slide at the end of run as well. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/raLLtFQiDE
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) May 21, 2026
This athletic ability allows him to be effective on designed bootlegs or to extend plays when there is pressure. There is an element of creativity with his legs in his game that translates to the NFL.
Sorsby is excellent in the RPO game and on play-action fakes. He sells the fake and is then able to get the ball out quickly. With many teams using two or three tight end sets frequently and working the play-action pass game off of that, this ability fits this trend.
Sorsby has excellent touch and consistently throws catchable passes. From his three-quarter release, he shows the ability to layer throws. His deep ball on “in the bucket” throws hit receivers in stride. When he has open receivers on short passes, he noticeably takes something off his passes to allow for an easier catch.
When Sorsby is in rhythm, his release is quick. He can change his arm angle to get the ball out, showing creativity in doing so. He fits an offense that relies on a quick release and timing. If kept on schedule, Sorsby is an effective quarterback with good accuracy.
Areas to Improve
While Sorsby has the arm to throw down the field, these passes are generally touch passes. This gives cornerbacks time to recover, or a safety in over-the-top coverage to get to the sideline and make a play on the ball. When he’s late with his processing/release and throws such a pass, he invites turnovers.
Brendan Sorsby eyes this one too long – a little double clutch in there – and, again, more touched in with air. DB over to get the pick. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/8BeTLpCQTq
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) May 21, 2026
When he has pressure, his eyes do come down to the rush, and he turns into a runner quickly. He will need to show more in the way of using his legs to pass.
While he looks comfortable throwing from different arm angles, and this helps him create at times, too many passes get batted at the line as a result (see interception vs Utah). This sideline release also prevents him from being able to layer throws consistently. His release point from his three-quarter release can also be inconsistent, and he will drag down some throws. These turn into short hops to his receivers.
From muddy pockets, Sorsby struggles to really generate any snap from his hips. At times, he’ll throw and take a little step back. No quarterback likes pressure, but Sorsby must be better in these situations.
He shows flashes of NFL processing, but generally, the Cincinnati offense asked him to make one or two reads and then run. Overall, his processing needs to be faster. A year at Texas Tech, if granted by the NCAA, would most certainly be beneficial for him in this area.
While Sorsby’s accuracy is good when on time, when the pocket is muddy, it does suffer. He’s also still developing in terms of being able to throw receivers open as his offense in Cincinnati didn’t require this of him.
Brendan Sorsby Supplemental Draft: The Impact of his Gambling Addiction
Sorsby has admitted to placing thousands of bets online and, in late April, took part in a residential gambling addiction treatment program. Some of those bets were small bets placed on Indiana when he was there, and that, from an NCAA sanction standpoint, is extremely serious.
Currently, Sorsby is filing an injunction against the NCAA that would grant him eligibility to play for Texas Tech in 2026. He has requested that the hearing is held before the deadline to declare for the supplemental draft. The date for the initial hearing is set for June 1.
A deep-rooted addiction of any kind is unlikely to go away after one residential program. It’s likely Sorsby will battle it his whole life. His NFL team will therefore need to support him throughout his career. For a potential face of a franchise, this will give NFL teams food for thought. Should he lapse, the NFL is likely to punish him heavily, and it could leave his team without its starting quarterback.
Every NFL team has a different view of any off the field red flag. It’s likely that some risk-averse teams will not be willing to place a bid for Sorsby.
Brendan Sorsby Supplemental Draft Key Dates
Sorsby must declare for the supplemental draft before the application deadline of June 22. The NFL would then have to decide whether or not to approve the application. There is no date for the supplemental draft, but if it takes place, it will be in late July. This will give NFL teams time to conduct a full background investigation. NFL teams would then bid for Sorsby in a weighted lottery, with the highest bid winning.
The full process and rules are detailed here.
Brendan Sorsby Supplemental Draft Projection
The tape shows a quarterback who would be perfect for a Shanahan tree offensive scheme. Sorsby’s mobility and ability to get the ball out with different arm angles are perfect for this offense.
Sorsby’s processing is not on the level of Brock Purdy coming out of Iowa State. It’s possible he won’t appeal to offenses that like to push down the field means he is more of a third/fourth round talent, with upside. He’s a step down from Arizona Cardinals second-round pick Carson Beck, who showed quicker processing.
The severity of his gambling addiction makes a projection difficult, as NFL teams will need to consider the risk/reward equation in his selection. A day three bid would seem the most likely outcome.
