UNLV QB leaves program, hints at NIL dispute

UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka said he will not play any more games this season for the undefeated Rebels, citing “certain representations” not being upheld by the program.

Sluka announced his decision in a social media post late Tuesday night and added that he will use his redshirt this year.

“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on X. “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.”

pic.twitter.com/oK5BDRpoxK

— Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) September 25, 2024

Sluka did not detail the reasons behind his decision, but college athletes are now routinely being paid for their name, image and likeness by companies or third-party organizations called collectives, which serve a particular school’s athletes.

NCAA redshirt rules allow players to retain a year of eligibility if they play four or fewer games in a season. Sluka, who played four seasons (2020-23) at Holy Cross before transferring to UNLV this past offseason, still has one more year of eligibility that he could use at another school next season.

NCAA rules do not allow players to play for two schools within the same season.

UNLV is 3-0 for the first time since 1984 and received 53 total points in the latest Associated Press poll, just 16 points behind No. 25 Boise State. The Rebels, who upset Kansas on the road in Week 3, also began the season with a victory against Houston, making them 2-0 against Big 12 teams and raising hopes they could contend for a spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

Sluka has completed 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns with one interception this season, his first with the Rebels. The senior transfer also has rushed 39 times for 286 yards and a score.

Sluka spent the first four years of his college career at FCS program Holy Cross, where he is first in career pass efficiency (147.4), second in career rushing yards (3,583), second in career rushing touchdowns (38), fifth in career passing yards (5,916) and fifth in career passing touchdowns (59). He rushed for an NCAA Division I quarterback record 330 yards in a loss to Lafayette in 2023.

Holy Cross reached the FCS playoffs in 2021 and 2022 with Sluka as the starter. After a coaching change at Holy Cross — head coach Bob Chesney left to take over at James Madison — Sluka also moved on.

In UNLV’s 23-20 upset victory at Kansas on Sept. 13, Sluka led the Rebels on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Kylin James scoring on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 1:51 left. Sluka rushed for 113 yards in the game.

With Sluka now out of the picture, UNLV figures to turn to either senior transfer Hajj-Malik Williams or senior Cameron Friel as its starting quarterback. The Rebels, who were off last weekend, host Fresno State in their Mountain West Conference opener Saturday.

UNLV went 9-5 last season and played for the MW championship, but the quarterback who led that team to the program’s best season in nearly 40 years, Jayden Maiava, transferred to USC.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.