The NFL has declined a request from college quarterback Brendan Sorsby for special eligibility to enter the league through a Supplemental Draft. In a June 23 letter sent to Sorsby, the NFL Management Council General Counsel cited both the circumstances of his NCAA ineligibility and the decision not to hold a Supplemental Draft in 2026.
According to the letter, the league had reviewed a Petition for Special Eligibility dated June 16 and decided not to grant it. The NFL stated that it had elected not to conduct a Supplemental Draft this year, citing the collective bargaining agreement that gives the league sole authority to decide whether a Supplemental Draft will take place.
The league said no draft had been scheduled for 2026 because no other player had sought entry through that process. Additionally, the NFL criticized the timing and content of the filing, stating that the petition arrived only three business days before the deadline and did not include supporting records or documentation.
The NFL cited several reasons for denying Sorsby's petition, including a lack of accountability for his conduct and incomplete information about the NCAA ruling that made him ineligible. The league noted that publicly available information indicated that Sorsby was permanently ineligible because of gambling-related conduct during his college career. However, the NFL acknowledged that it did not have the full NCAA investigative record and that Sorsby did not submit those materials with his request.
The league further alleged that Sorsby placed wagers involving his own team and teammates and used intermediary accounts to hide betting activity. The letter stated that some conduct may have violated state law. The NFL encouraged Sorsby to continue preparing for a conventional path into the league, emphasizing that participation in the NFL is a privilege that carries with it significant responsibilities, including accountability.
The decision comes after a series of legal battles tied to the NCAA ruling. Sorsby had previously challenged the sanctions in court, but the fight over his NCAA status ultimately did not produce the outcome he sought. The NFL is now encouraging Sorsby to focus on preparing for possible entry into the league through the 2027 NFL Annual Draft.
