UNLV QB Matthew Sluka to Leave Program over 'Representations' That 'Were Not Upheld'

UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced Wednesday that he intends to redshirt and will not play for the remainder of the 2024 season.

UNLV's fourth-leading rusher, running back Michael Allen, is also entering the transfer portal following Sluka's announcement, per Action Network's Brett McMurphy.

Sluka seemed to indicate in a statement that he plans to transfer and play elsewhere next season, writing: "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."

The NCAA released a statement on the situation Wednesday, noting the lack of oversight and accountability in the NIL process:

Marcus Cromartie, Sluka's NIL agent, told Pete Thamel of ESPN that the quarterback was "verbally promised a minimum of $100,000" by an assistant coach if he transferred to UNLV. Cromartie told Thamel none of that money was paid.

However, Rob Sine, the CEO of Blueprint Sports, which runs UNLV's NIL collective told Ross Dellinger of Yahoo Sports that they never agreed to a $100,000 contract with Sulka.

Blueprint Sports also released an official statement regarding Sluka's redshirt decision, saying that "no formal NIL offers" were made to the quarterback during his recruitment process and no NIL offers were agreed to or finalized.

UNLV Athletics added in a statement that Sluka's representative "made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing" and that UNLV Athletics "interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as wells as Nevada state law."

With Sluka leading the way, the Rebels are off to a 3-0 start, and they are among the top non-power conference teams in FBS.

While ranked outside the Associated Press Top 25, they received 53 votes in the most recent poll, making them the de facto No. 29 team in the nation. UNLV is also ranked No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.

Sluka, who is a senior, is completing just 43.8 percent of his passes this season, but he has thrown for 318 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception.

He has been especially effective with his legs, rushing for 253 yards and one score. In a 23-20 upset road win over Kansas on Sept. 13, Sluka rushed for 124 yards and threw a touchdown pass.

Before transferring to UNLV, the dual-threat quarterback from Locust Valley, New York, spent four years playing at FCS Holy Cross.

In 2022, he threw for 2,491 yards, 26 touchdowns and four interceptions, while also rushing for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns. He followed that up last season with 1,723 yards, 20 touchdowns and five picks through the air, plus 1,243 yards and nine scores on the ground.

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Sluka set the Division I single-game rushing record for a quarterback last season, piling up 330 yards against Lafayette.

With Sluka poised to transfer elsewhere, backup quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams is in line to become the new starter at UNLV, according to Mike Grimala of the Las Vegas Sun.

Williams has not attempted a pass this season, but like Sluka, he has showed off his mobility, rushing 10 times for 88 yards.

Before arriving at UNLV this year, Williams spent five years at FCS Campbell. His best season came in 2023 when he threw for 2,604 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while completing 70.5 percent of his passes.

He also rushed for 265 yards and five touchdowns, proving he can do damage with his arm and his legs.

Williams figures to start UNLV's opening Mountain West Conference game of the season Saturday when the Rebels host Fresno State.

This season is perhaps the biggest one ever for teams outside the Power Four conferences since the top Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff rankings at the end of the season will receive a CFP berth.

As of now, UNLV is a leading candidate to secure that spot along with No. 25 Boise State, who is 2-1 with its only loss coming by three points on the road against No. 8 Oregon.