Tech Lands Top Recruit
Texas Tech Football Lands Four-Star Commit Joshua Banks After Brendan Sorsby's NFL Supplemental Draft Exit
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Texas Tech football moved fast to keep its recruiting momentum alive after losing quarterback Brendan Sorsby. On June 16, 2026, four-star cornerback Joshua Banks officially committed to the Red Raiders, choosing Lubbock over Big 12 rivals Arizona, Baylor, and Houston, as well as multiple SEC programs, according to Heavy Sports.
The commitment came just hours after Sorsby and Texas Tech announced a mutual parting of ways. Sorsby, suspended for gambling on college sports, applied for the NFL Supplemental Draft rather than fight a two-game ban for the 2026 season. His exit closed one of the most chaotic chapters in recent college football history.
Sorsby Bet $90,000 Over Four Years, Including on His Own Team
Brendan Sorsby arrived at Texas Tech in February 2026 with a reported $5 million NIL deal, according to On3. By May, a federal tip led the NCAA to investigate suspicious wagering patterns. Sorsby admitted to placing roughly $90,000 in bets over four years. Court filings revealed he bet on his own Indiana team at least 40 times, including bets that his team would score fewer points.
The NCAA declared him permanently ineligible. His legal team, led by antitrust attorney Jeffrey Kessler, argued the NCAA failed its "duty of care" by punishing a student-athlete for a diagnosed gambling disorder rather than offering treatment. On June 8, a Lubbock County judge granted a temporary injunction restoring Sorsby's eligibility — but attached a two-game suspension, according to Heavy Sports.
Big 12 Revolt Forced Texas Tech's Hand on Sorsby
The injunction set off a firestorm across college football. All 15 other Big 12 athletic directors unanimously opposed Sorsby playing, according to ca.sports.yahoo.com. On June 15, the Big 12 Conference filed a federal lawsuit to block Texas Tech from fielding what it called an ineligible player. Programs like Nebraska and Georgia threatened to cancel future games against the Red Raiders.
NCAA President Charlie Baker called the court's move a "new low" that "undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports." That same evening, Texas Tech and Sorsby announced their split. Sorsby withdrew his lawsuit and applied for the NFL Supplemental Draft, which has a hard deadline of June 22, 2026. Texas Tech Chairman Cody Campbell said the school "will not seek return" of any NIL money already paid.
Joshua Banks Gives Texas Tech a Reason to Look Forward
Banks is a 6-foot-1, 177-pound cornerback from Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas. He runs the 100-meter dash in 10.58 seconds, which signals elite speed for the defensive backfield. He is ranked the No. 28 cornerback in the 2027 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. His commitment pushed Texas Tech to No. 1 in the Big 12 for the 2027 class, per On3.
Head coach Joey McGuire hosted Banks for an official visit from June 12 to 14 — right in the middle of the Sorsby firestorm. Analysts suggest McGuire's ability to close on a top recruit during such chaos actually boosted his standing. Recruiting insiders noted that Texas Tech's willingness to fight hard for its players, even in a losing battle, resonated with high-level prospects like Banks.
What Comes Next for Texas Tech Football in 2026
With Sorsby gone, Will Hammond is now the projected starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Hammond is coming off an ACL tear, which adds another layer of uncertainty at the position. Texas Tech also faces a diplomatic repair job with the Big 12 to avoid any long-term sanctions. The program's legal battle with the conference cost goodwill across the sport, according to On3.
The broader fallout from the Sorsby case could reshape how the NCAA handles gambling violations. Legal experts warn that his case created a "loophole" — using a mental health diagnosis to bypass eligibility bans — that other players and attorneys may try to copy. The NCAA is expected to push for federal legislation to protect its rulebook. For now, Texas Tech is focused on building around Banks and the 2027 class.
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