Brendan Sorsby never took a snap for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He never threw a pass, never won a game, and never had a chance to live up to the high expectations that came with him when he transferred to Lubbock.
That doesn’t mean that he was never part of the team, though.
On Monday night, it was officially announced that, following the fallout from Sorsby’s gambling scandal, the Red Raiders and their QB were mutually agreeing to part ways, with Sorsby subsequently applying for the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft, where he will look to continue his career at the next level. Should things go smoothly, Sorsby will find himself in a new jersey this fall, but Texas Tech fans who so defiantly defended him over the last several weeks and months will still watch on and support him with the loyalty of someone who won them many games.
Before that happens, though, Sorsby needs to find his new team, and that process is a bit confusing. Let’s run through what you need to know about the supplemental draft.
What is the NFL supplemental draft?
That’s a nuanced question, and if you dive into the details, the answer can become quite confusing. At the base level, though, the supplemental draft is designed for players who have been ruled ineligible for college football after the NFL draft has already passed.
The way it works is by allowing NFL teams to “bid” future draft picks on current players in a silent-auction style. For example, Team A can look at a player in the supplemental draft and say, “I want to spend my 2027 third-round pick on this player.” Meanwhile, another team can say, “I’m willing to spend my 2027 second-round pick on this player.” Ultimately, every interested team will submit a bid, and the highest bidder gets the player and subsequently “pays” for the pick they bid.
When is the supplemental draft?
The deadline to apply for the supplemental draft is on June 22, which is part of why Texas Tech and Sorsby agreed to part ways this week, allowing the QB to get his name in and let the process play out before it was too late.
The supplemental draft will be held in late July.
Is Sorsby automatically in the draft?
Not technically, but it would be a bit of a surprise if he isn’t granted a seat at the table. While the gambling issue was enough to get him pushed out of college football, there is a belief that the NFL will allow him a spot in the supplemental draft, and let the 32 teams decide whether or not they want to take him on, and the subsequent “baggage” that comes with that.
Of course, there are some eligibility hoops to jump through as well. By having a temporary injunction granted, ruling him “eligible” for the 2026 college football season, Sorsby accidentally worked against himself and made himself “ineligible” for the supplemental draft. This is likely reversible, but at the moment, there is work to do for Sorsby to be allowed into the draft.
Who are some notable supplemental draft picks of the past?
2019
S Jalen Thompson, fifth round, Arizona Cardinals
2012
WR Josh Gordon, second round, Cleveland Browns
2011
QB Terrelle Pryor, third round, Oakland Raiders
2006
LB Ahmad Brooks, third round, Cincinnati Bengals
1987
LB Brian Bosworth, first round, Seattle Seahawks
WR Cris Carter, fourth round, Philadelphia Eagles
1985
QB Bernie Kosar, first round, Cleveland Browns
This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: What is the NFL supplemental draft, and how does it work?
Reporting by Zachary Neel, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zachary Neel, Red Raiders Wire | USA TODAY Network
