Brendan Sorsby told the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in early December he wasn’t returning as quarterback, and by Jan. 4 it was announced he would go to Texas Tech.
Three days later, UC had snared JC French IV in the portal from Georgia Southern and the comparisons between the signal callers began.
One thing’s for sure, Sorsby won’t take the field for Texas Tech after his well-publicized gambling issues, while French, if he remains healthy, appears to be UC’s guy when the Bearcats and Red Raiders collide at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Sorsby, denied an NFL supplemental draft opportunity, will now have to wait for the 2027 NFL Draft, which he’s already preparing for, according to Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire at Big 12 Football Media Days. While you won’t see French and Sorsby duel this fall, we can offer up an analytical look at the pair in terms of their best and worst games over the past two seasons.
French threw for more yards at Georgia Southern with 5,760 in two seasons, compared to Sorsby’s 5,613. Sorsby finished with more touchdown passes (45 to French’s 37) and fewer interceptions (12 to French’s 19). Sorsby ran for more yards (1,021 to French’s 553) and had more touchdown trots (19 to French’s 8).
Sorsby was also facing Big 12 competition compared to French’s Sun Belt schedule. However, you could argue Sorsby benefited from a better offensive line as UC’s group was Joe Moore Award semifinalists last season. French will have three of those five starters back protecting him in 2026 at UC.
Sorsby’s 5 best games with Bearcats
Top 5 games for French at Georgia Southern
Sorsby’s 5 worst games at UC
French’s worst 5 games at Georgia Southern
Sept. 6, 2025 – Playing at USC, French was just 19-for-35 passing for 179 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and -2 rushing yards in a 59-20 loss to the Trojans.
Oct. 9, 2025 – French was 24-for-43 passing for 313 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off three times and had -2 rushing yards in a 38-35 loss to Southern Miss.
Sept. 21, 2024 – At then-No. 5 Ole Miss, French was 20-for-28 passing but only for 109 yards and was held to -5 rushing by the Rebels in a 52-13 loss.
Sept. 27, 2025 – French was held to 14-for-24 passing for 165 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, he was sacked seven times and finished with -8 yards against James Madison, who won 35-10.
Dec. 19, 2024 – In the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. Sam Houston State, French was 20-for-33 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown but was picked off four times. He ran for 34 yards and a score in the 31-26 loss.
November wins for Sorsby, French
In the crucial final month the past two seasons, Sorsby is 0-for-8 as a starter. Dating back to Indiana, he played in 12 November games in his college career with just one win: a Nov. 11, 2023, 20-14 win over Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers.
French in November is 7-3 over the past two seasons, 7-6 if you include three cameos late in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Best, worst games for Brendan Sorsby, new UC Bearcats QB JC French IV
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
