Brendan Sorsby, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bearcats, has been selected the “Most Impactful Team Player” in collegiate football for the 2025 season, a shocking but well-deserved development. The announcement, presented jointly by the Maxwell Football Club and College GameDay, affirms what many fans and experts have seen all season: Sorsby’s dramatic climb to national prominence and transformational leadership of the Bearcats program.
Sorsby beat over a crowded field of high-profile contenders for the award, including Ohio State’s freshman wonder Julian Sayin, Colorado’s dual-threat sensation Kaidon Salter, Oregon’s Dante Moore, and Florida State’s Brock Glenn, among others. What distinguished Sorsby from the pack was not only his statistical excellence, but also the way he lifted an entire football program and rekindled hope that Cincinnati could compete with the nation’s elite once more.
The junior transfer arrived from Indiana with minimal expectations for the 2025 season, but he rapidly established himself as the Bearcats’ heart and soul. He concluded the regular season with 3,802 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, as well as 623 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground, helping lead Cincinnati to a surprising 11-2 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff—a performance that many thought was impossible only a year before.
“This award isn’t just about me,” Sorsby stated during his emotional acceptance speech. “It’s about my teammates, coaches, and everyone who believed in me when no one else did.” I came to Cincinnati to help create something extraordinary, and we did.”
Head Coach Scott Satterfield complimented Sorsby’s leadership and unwavering work ethic, citing him as the driving force for the team’s development.
“Brendan changed the entire culture,” Satterfield said. “He provided toughness, accountability, and a fire that improved everyone around him. “He is everything you want in a quarterback and a leader.”
Sorsby’s most memorable moment came in a midseason upset of then-No. 3 Oklahoma, when he scored five touchdowns and led a last-minute drive to seal the win. That performance not only secured his Heisman candidacy, but also elevated him to national prominence.
Analysts throughout the country were eager to compliment his overall game. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit commented,
“He has the arm strength, movement, and football IQ—but what distinguishes him is his poise. “He’s unshakeable in the most important moments.”
Brendan Sorsby now joins a distinguished list of previous champions, but perhaps more importantly, he has left an indelible stamp on a Cincinnati team that has soared back to national prominence under his direction.
The “Most Impactful Team Player” of 2025 isn’t done making noise just yet, with NFL scouts keeping a close eye on him and one final playoff run approaching.
Brendan Sorsby didn’t just play football in 2025; he altered the story.