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UNLV starting QB Matthew Sluka to sit out rest of 2024 season after 'certain representations' were 'not upheld after I enrolled'

nick bromberg
Senior writer
·4 min read

UNLV QB Matthew Sluka says he’s no longer playing this season.

Sluka said in a social media post that he would redshirt the rest of the season because of unfulfilled promises that were apparently made to him. Sluka has been the Rebels' starting QB for the first three games of the season as UNLV has started the season 3-0 with wins over Houston and Kansas.

“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.”

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, who spoke to Sluka's agent Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports, a UNLV assistant coach promised Sluka a minimum of $100,000 for transferring there. Cromartie told Thamel that none of that was paid. Crucially, the agreement was verbal in nature. NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach confirmed that nothing was put in writing. Once Sluka enrolled, UNLV reportedly made no effort to formalize the contract, eventually offering a contract that was significantly less than what he was promised.

Sluka's agent told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger that the door wasn't closed for him to return to the team. Though he put the onus on UNLV and he's now no longer listed on the school's online roster.

UNLV's collective released a statement to Dellenger on Wednesday afternoon.

UNLV followed with a statement after the collective's and accused Sluka's agent of making "financial demands."

“Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the university and its NIL collective in order to continue playing,” the school said. “UNLV athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law. 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.”

Sluka is the first and most-high profile player to stop playing during the season because of NIL issues. Current Georgia QB Jaden Rashada ended up at Arizona State for his freshman season after an NIL deal at Florida fell apart. However, that drama took place before Rashada had a chance to take the field for the Gators.

Sluka took over as UNLV’s starting quarterback as the Rebels needed to look to the transfer portal to replace last year’s starter Jayden Maiava, who emerged as a freshman and threw for over 3,000 yards as UNLV went to a bowl game for the first time since 2013.

He entered the transfer portal at the end of the season, however, and briefly committed to Georgia. After decommitting from the Bulldogs, Maiava ended up at USC and is now the No. 2 QB behind Miller Moss.

Sluka is a fifth-year senior who spent the past four seasons of his career at Holy Cross. He was 122-of-197 passing for 1,723 yards and 20 TDs to just five interceptions in 2023. Players can appear in up to four games and still take a redshirt season, so Sluka will be able to play a sixth season of college football in 2025 as long as he doesn’t appear in two more games this season.

Without Sluka available, UNLV’s top two QBs remaining are Cameron Friel and Hajj-Malik Williams. Friel has thrown one pass this season and both saw playing time in the team’s win over Utah Tech.