Samwise College Football Newsletter
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Declares for NFL Supplemental Draft, Ending Eligibility Saga
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby declared for the 2026 NFL supplemental draft on Tuesday, ending a contentious eligibility saga, CBS Sports reported. The NCAA had ruled Sorsby ineligible after determining he placed more than 9,000 bets totaling at least $90,000 on professional and college sports while enrolled at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction in early June restoring his eligibility, but amid a Big 12 lawsuit and backlash, Sorsby opted for the NFL. He faced a June 22 deadline to apply. Sorsby threw for 7,208 yards and 60 touchdowns across his college career.
Sources: CBS Sports
NFL and Players Unions Tell Congress They Back Protect College Sports Act
The NFL, NFLPA and NBPA sent statements to Congress on Tuesday supporting the Protect College Sports Act while encouraging further negotiations, ESPN reported. The players associations for the NFL and NBA jointly said the bill includes important provisions to protect college athletes, including guaranteeing NIL rights and providing medical and healthcare benefits. They encouraged continued stakeholder engagement to strengthen the legislation as it moves through Congress. The NFL voiced support for the voluntary pooling of media rights under the Sports Broadcasting Act, a measure the SEC and Big Ten have opposed. The Senate commerce committee is expected to vote following a markup Thursday.
Sources: ESPN
Texas Tech Tumbles in Updated Top 25 After Sorsby Departure
Texas Tech tumbled in updated college football preseason Top 25 rankings following quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s departure for the NFL supplemental draft, CBS Sports reported Tuesday. The Red Raiders, who had ranked among the top 10 with Sorsby, fell several spots as the program reassesses its Big 12 and playoff aspirations. Backup quarterback Will Hammond is not expected to be ready for the season opener because of a knee injury, leaving coach Joey McGuire to choose between Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis and redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III. Despite the setback, analysts noted Texas Tech’s favorable schedule keeps the Red Raiders a Big 12 favorite.
Sources: CBS Sports
Pac-12 Extends Commissioner Teresa Gould Through 2030-31
Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould received a five-year contract extension through 2030-31, the conference announced Tuesday, ESPN reported. Gould’s previous two-year deal, which began in 2024, was set to expire at the end of June. The new agreement matches the length of the league’s grant of rights and media rights deals, which run through June 2031. Pac-12 presidents voted unanimously to approve the extension. Gould began her tenure on March 1, 2024, as the first female commissioner of an NCAA autonomy conference. The extension comes as the rebuilt Pac-12 nears its official expansion date with new members joining the league.
Sources: ESPN
Final AP Top 10 (2024-25 season)
Off-season — last completed AP poll. Next poll: preseason 2026.
1. Ohio State (14-2)
2. Notre Dame (14-2)
3. Oregon (13-1)
4. Texas (13-3)
5. Penn State (13-3)
6. Georgia (11-3)
7. Arizona State (11-3)
8. Boise State (12-2)
9. Tennessee (10-3)
10. Indiana (11-2)
Conference Leaders (final AP poll)
SEC
Georgia — No. 6 overall
Big Ten
Ohio State — No. 1 overall, national champion
Big 12
Arizona State — No. 7 overall, Big 12 champion
ACC
SMU — No. 12 overall
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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