College Football Portal Creates Legal Battle
Cincinnati is suing QB Brendan Sorsby for $1M exit fee after his transfer to Texas Tech, sparking accountability talks about bowl opt-outs triggering scholarship repayments and early portal entries owing NIL money back. Meanwhile, Alabama RB Justice Haynes (857 yards/10 TDs in 7 games) transferred to Georgia Tech as a bell cow back, and ASU QB Sam Leavitt (4,652 yards/36 TDs) moved to LSU.
The lawsuit against Brendan Sorsby stems from an 18-month, two-season Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreement he signed with the University of Cincinnati in July 2025. This deal included a clause requiring a $1 million payment to the university if he transferred before the contract's completion on December 15, 2026. Cincinnati claims it invested substantially in Sorsby with the expectation of realizing the benefits in the 2026 season as his brand grew. Sorsby's agent, Ron Slavin, has called the lawsuit "misguided," stating that the quarterback was paid $875,800 for a season he fully completed, during which he generated millions in value for the program. Sorsby's new deal with Texas Tech is reportedly worth between $4 million and $6 million for a single season. The lawsuit seeks the $1 million as liquidated damages, but Sorsby's representation argues it is an "unlawful penalty under Ohio law." Justice Haynes' move to Georgia Tech marks a return to his home state of Georgia, where he was a high school star at Blessed Trinity and Buford. Before his single, injury-shortened season at Michigan where he rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games, Haynes played his first two collegiate seasons at Alabama. His transfer was reportedly accompanied by a $2.6 million NIL offer from Georgia Tech. At Georgia Tech, Haynes is expected to form a potent one-two punch in the backfield with returning running back Malachi Hosley, who rushed for 697 yards in 2025. The addition of Haynes is seen as a major win for head coach Brent Key, solidifying a run-heavy offensive identity and creating what could be one of the top running back duos in the ACC. Sam Leavitt, ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal by some outlets, joins LSU after a successful tenure at Arizona State. In 2024, he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. His 2025 season was cut short after seven games due to a foot injury that required surgery. Leavitt's move to LSU involved a competitive recruitment process, with coach Lane Kiffin personally intervening to secure his commitment over other programs like Miami and Tennessee. His new NIL deal with LSU is rumored to be worth around $6 million. He is now the presumptive starting quarterback for the Tigers, tasked with revitalizing an offense that finished last in the SEC in yards per game in 2025.
