The University of Cincinnati athletics department issued a statement Wednesday confirming the school has been cleared by the NCAA in its investigation into sports gambling by former Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
"Earlier this summer, NCAA enforcement staff completed an inquiry into a former Cincinnati student-athlete’s prohibited betting activity during his time at the university. The inquiry is now closed, and the student-athlete was found to have committed a Level III violation," UC senior associate athletics director for communications Zach Stipe, said in the statement, as reported by the Cincinnati Inquirer. "A Level III violation is considered isolated and limited in nature. All penalties for this violation are attached to the student-athlete and not the institution or other coaches, staff members or student-athletes.
"Cincinnati worked closely with the NCAA throughout the process, which began when the initial reports of impermissible sports wagering began."
According to Scott Springer of the Enquirer, the NCAA had wrapped up its probe by the second week of July, but Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield declined comment during Big 12 Conference Media Day in Frisco, Texas.
"In court documents, the only evidence involving Cincinnati was an August 2024 incident involving the ProhiBet app on Sorsby's phone, where he was trying to access Prize Picks, a prediction market," Springer wrote Wednesday. "UC compliance investigated and found Sorsby was denied access to the app; therefore, did not gamble."
Per Springer, Cincinnati compliance officials gave Sorsby educational assignments as required.
UC's statement reads: "All penalties for this violation are attached to the student-athlete and not the institution or other coaches, staff members or student-athletes."
Related: University of Cincinnati Disputes Agent's Claim School Knew About Brendan Sorsby's Gambling
Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech on Jan. 4 after two seasons at Cincinnati. He entered a gambling addiction clinic in Arizona after appearing in Tech's spring game in April. The NCAA ruled Sorsby ineligible, then a Texas judge cleared him to play with a two-game suspension. The Big 12 then threatened sanctions against Texas Tech, which then ruled Sorsby ineligible. Hoping to enter the NFL supplemental draft, Sorsby was informed the league had decided in June to not hold a 2026 supplemental draft.
