The Brendan Sorsby situation features a series of complex layers.
Ultimately, the verdict is that he will forgo his NCAA eligibility for the 2027 season and turn pro, entering the NFL’s supplemental draft in July.
What is the supplemental draft?
The NFL’s supplemental draft was created in 1977 for players whose NCAA eligibility was affected but who didn’t enter the NFL draft in April. They don’t happen every year; the most recent supplemental draft took place in 2019.
The order of the draft is decided by a weighted lottery divided into three tiers: first come teams that won fewer than six games, then other non-playoff teams, and finally, playoff teams. Teams bid on players using picks in next year’s NFL draft.
It is also a blind bid, meaning organizations don’t see what other teams have bid on a prospect.
In 1990, the New York Jets landed wide receiver Rob Moore for a first-round pick. Moore graduated from Syracuse with one year of NCAA eligibility left, but didn’t declare for April’s draft in time.
Sorsby’s situation
In April, Sorsby was initially investigated by the NCAA for gambling on thousands of games, including his own, dating back to 2022. That is strictly against NCAA rules, and players who are convicted of betting on their own games typically are expelled from the college ranks.
After completing a 35-day stay at a gambling rehabilitation center, he and his attorneys filed an injunction looking to get his NCAA eligibility reinstated for the 2026 season.
Although it was initially denied, a judge in Lubbock County, Texas, granted the quarterback eligibility after an appeal.
However, the 22-year-old has now decided to turn pro.
How good of a QB is Sorsby?
Sorsby was expected to be one of the top options in a loaded 2027 NFL draft class at the quarterback position.
Before transferring to Texas Tech after the 2025 season and signing a $5.1 million deal, Sorsby burst onto the scene at Cincinnati last season.
Throughout 12 games, he completed 61.6% of his passing attempts for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 155.1 passer rating while averaging 9.27 adjusted yards per pass attempt.
Sorsby was the fifth-best Power Four quarterback in the nation based on Pro Football Focus’ overall grade (90.3), finishing two spots behind the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, Fernando Mendoza.
There is no doubt that he has talent. Beyond his sheer passing ability, he has also scored 18 rushing touchdowns over the past two years.
Something to keep in mind when talking about Sorsby is that many pundits predicted he would be a top QB next year, believing he would take another step forward at Texas Tech last season.
But if he were to declare for this April’s NFL draft, some believe he would be a Day 3 pick, and certainly not a guy selected in Rounds 1 or 2.
That is a critical factor to keep in mind. The past few years have shown how much the QB hierarchy can change after one season. Ahead of the 2025 season, Cade Klubnik was receiving legitimate hype as a potential No. 1 overall pick. After a rough year, though, he ended up falling to the Jets in the fourth round.
The same could be said about someone like Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, who didn’t end up getting selected until the seventh round, where he will start his career as the Kansas City Chiefs’ QB3.
Should the Jets make a bid?
All 32 teams will conduct due diligence on Sorsby, including how serious the gambling investigation is and how it may translate to character concerns at the NFL level.
The Jets, though, seem like the perfect fit for Sorsby on paper. He could sit for a year behind veteran Geno Smith, who will be the starter for at least the 2026 season.
New York currently has no long-term answer at QB, and perhaps Sorsby is the guy they were eying in next year’s draft. In that case, they could view it as an opportunity to get their guy at a reduced price.
It all depends on the price, but given what Sorsby will most likely command (a second or third round pick), I think it’s wise for the Jets to steer clear.
After getting through the Aaron Rodgers fiasco and all the luggage he brought with him, the last thing the Jets need is another massive distraction at quarterback, and this time with one who most likely won’t start right away.
Sorsby certainly has the potential, but as I noted above, the final year before entering the draft is crucial for getting a read on a QB’s true draft range. The next year of college football could have shown that he isn’t worth a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick.
However, this regime will also have a chance to choose its franchise quarterback. If the guy they have honed in on throughout the process is Sorsby, then it would be hard to fault them for selecting him in the supplemental draft.
Whether it’s Sorsby or someone in next year’s draft class, one thing is clear: the Jets must find their long-term answer at QB. They have been presented with a unique opportunity to secure a potential solution, but they must weigh the risks against the rewards.
