UNLV QB leaves undefeated team after NIL promises go unfulfilled

Matthew Sluka and UNLV are some of the early-season darlings of the 2024 college football season. The school is 3-0 after a strong start, and in the driver’s seat for the Group of 5’s automatic berth in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. As for Sluka, who transferred to UNLV after a stellar career at Holy Cross, he has thrown for 318 yards and 6 touchdowns, while adding another 253 yards and a score on the ground.

UNLV last played on September 13, and notched a big win on the road over Kansas. Sluka threw a touchdown in UNLV’s 23-20 win, and added a team-high 124 rushing yards on 19 carries.

However, it now appears that will be his final game in a UNLV uniform.

Sluka announced on social media that he would utilize his redshirt year, not play in any additional games this season, and enter the transfer portal. Sluka cited unfulfilled “commitments” in his announcement:

“I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season,” Sluka said. ”I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”

His father and agent provided a little more context to ESPN. The QB was reportedly promised $100,000 when he transferred there, and the money never came.

UNLV released a statement on Thursday alleging that Sluka’s representative made “financial demands” on the university for Sluka to keep playing:

Update: Sluka is not the only UNLV player to announce on Monday that he was entering the portal. Running back Michael Allen became the second player to enter the portal, citing opportunities that “were not met:”

However, the running back later clarified that his decision had nothing to do with NIL agreements, but rather “on-field opportunities.” Allen has 19 carries for 108 yards this season for UNLV.

Sluka put together an incredible resume at Holy Cross, as he was a three-year starter at quarterback. He was twice a Walter Payton Award Finalist and was selected as the 2023 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. Sluka threw for 5,916 career yards with 59 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions while at Holy Cross. He transferred to UNLV this past offseason.

The announcement from Sluka, with the reference to “certain representations,” seems to indicate that his decision is related to issues over NIL payments and promises, perhaps an inevitable byproduct of the NIL system in college athletics.

With Sluka sitting out, UNLV likely turns to Hajj-Malik Williams, who pushed Sluka for the starting job this spring. Williams connected on 14-of-22 passes for 227 yards in UNLV’s spring game, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

As a fifth-year senior, Sluka can enter the transfer portal at any time.