UNLV starting QB Matthew Sluka quits amid undefeated season

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Matthew Sluka, the starting quarterback of the undefeated UNLV Rebels, will leave the team because of alleged unfilled "commitments" made to him for coming to the school.

Sluka made the announcement Tuesday night on Instagram and X. The senior quarterback, who transferred to UNLV earlier this year from Holy Cross, completed 43.8% of his throws for 318 yards, six scores and one interception through three games this season.

He also helped the 3-0 Rebels claim a spot -- No. 24 -- in the Coaches Poll for the first time in school history.

"I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season," Sluka wrote on his social media platforms. "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."

Sluka's agent, Marcus Cromartie, claimed that UNLV failed to fulfill an assistant coach's verbal agreement to pay the quarterback $100,000.

UNLV said Wednesday that Sluka's representative "made financial demands upon the university and its NIL [name, image and likeness] collective" for him to continue playing.

"UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law," the university said. "UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.

"UNLV has conducted its due diligence and will continue to operate its programs within the framework of NCAA rules and regulations, as well as Nevada state laws."

Blueprint Sports, which oversees UNLV's collective, said there were "no formal NIL offers made" during Sluka's recruitment process and that it did not default on any agreements with the quarterback.

"Additionally, Friends of UNILV did not finalize or agree to any NIL offers while he was part of the team, aside from a completed community engagement event over the summer," Blueprint Sports said.

Seniors Cameron Friel, Hajj-Malik Williams, freshman Gael Ochoa and redshirt freshman Lucas Lenhoff are the other quarterbacks on the Rebels' roster. Frier and Williams, who each threw one pass this season, were in a quarterback competition with Sluka during preseason camp.

The Rebels will host Fresno State at 3:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 28 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.