Texas Tech Reportedly Willing to Spend Big to Replace QB Behren Morton

Texas Tech is preparing for a major change at quarterback, and it may not come cheap. After leading the Red Raiders to a strong 12-1 season, Behren Morton is expected to move on to the NFL. He is viewed by scouts as a mid-round prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, leaving head coach Joey McGuire with a huge hole to fill at the most important position on the field.

Replacing Morton was always going to be difficult. Now, reports suggest it could also cost Texas Tech millions.

According to On3 insider Pete Nakos, the Red Raiders are emerging as a serious contender to land former Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby out of the transfer portal. Sources told Nakos that Texas Tech is trending in the right direction and is ready to make a strong financial push.

Sources told Nakos that he is likely to seek between $3 million and $5 million through the transfer portal.

Sorsby officially entered the transfer portal on December 15, 2025, after spending two seasons with the Bearcats. He is also testing the NFL Draft waters but still has one year of college eligibility remaining. With Texas Tech suddenly in need of a proven quarterback, the timing lines up well for both sides.

Morton’s departure isn’t the only issue for the Red Raiders. The projected next starter, Will Hammond, is currently recovering from an ACL injury. That leaves Texas Tech looking for a reliable, experienced option to guide the offense in 2026.

Sorsby checks a lot of boxes. He is a true dual-threat quarterback, which fits perfectly in offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich’s system. That offense thrives when the quarterback can make plays with both his arm and his legs. In 2025, Sorsby ranked among the nation’s top 15 quarterbacks, throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns. He contributed 580 yards as a runner and found the end zone nine times on the ground.

From a money standpoint, Texas Tech appears ready. While Sorsby’s current NIL valuation sits around $2.4 million, the market for top transfer quarterbacks has exploded. The Red Raiders are in a strong position after reports showed their roster value reached $28 million, second-highest in college football behind only Texas.

Some analysts even believe Sorsby could be an upgrade over Morton. Morton was primarily a pocket passer and finished both the 2024 and 2025 seasons with negative rushing yards. He also battled injuries, including shoulder surgery and a late-season leg injury. Sorsby, meanwhile, stayed healthy and delivered steady production.

As for Morton’s NFL future, scouts view him as a backup or spot starter. His 67.0% completion rate, 2,643 passing yards, and 22 touchdowns highlight his quick passing ability, but concerns remain about arm strength and durability. Still, he showed toughness in big moments, including the Big 12 Championship, where he played through a fibula injury and led Texas Tech to a dominant 34-7 win over BYU.

Morton helped fuel the Red Raiders’ 12-1 run with a 162.5 passer rating, but most projections place him as a Day 3 pick in the 2026 Draft. Now, Texas Tech is ready to move forward — and possibly spend big — to keep its momentum going.

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