Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols football program dodged a massive bullet without even realizing it
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers football program dodged a massive bullet this offseason without even realizing it, and it could’ve derailed the entire 2026 season for UT.
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols dodged a massive bullet this offseason without even realizing it.
And it could’ve derailed the entire 2026 season for the Volunteers.
Transfer QB that Tennessee was interested in is taking a leave of absence from football
Early in the offseason, the Vols pursued a couple of transfer quarterback options.
Tennessee was most heavily connected to Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt, who visited UT before eventually signing with LSU.
Another quarterback the Vols were connected to was Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby (LSU was also interested in Sorsby), who signed with Texas Tech.
Some of Sorsby’s family members reportedly live in Knoxville, so the connection to Tennessee made sense. Sorsby is also viewed as a potential first round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Heupel and the Vols, however, should be glad they weren’t the winners of the Sorsby sweepstakes.
That’s because ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Monday that Sorsby is under NCAA investigation for gambling.
Thamel also reported that Sorsby is checking into a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction.
According to Thamel, Sorsby is under investigation after making “thousands” of bets via a gambling app.
“According to sources, Sorsby bet on Indiana football while redshirting for the Hoosiers as a true freshman in 2022, a season in which he played in a single game as a reserve,” wrote Thamel. “The bets in 2022, according to sources, were on Indiana to win and none came in a game in which Sorsby appeared.”
“There’s no timetable for Sorsby’s treatment, as sources say his situation is being treated as a mental health issue and Sorsby will be afforded all the time he needs,” added Thamel. “His decision as a high-profile college athlete to enter a facility to treat his gambling addiction while enrolled is unprecedented.”
It’s late April, so Sorsby still has time to put this behind him and be ready for the 2026 season — depending, of course, on the outcome of the NCAA’s investigation (his eligibility, again, could be in jeopardy). It’s simply too early to know how this situation will play out for Sorsby and Texas Tech.
Can you imagine, though, if Sorsby had transferred to Tennessee and this came up in late April?
I mean, the Vols have dealt with plenty of quarterback drama over the last couple of years. The last thing the program needs is a starting quarterback under investigation for gambling. I can see the internet memes now…
Hopefully Sorsby gets the treatment he needs, puts this behind him, and has a productive NFL career.
Tennessee, however, has to be breathing a sigh of relief that they aren’t in Texas Tech’s shoes right now.