UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka, who led his team to a 3-0 start, announced late Tuesday night that he would no longer play for the Rebels due to unmet promises regarding his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) compensation. Sluka, a transfer from Holy Cross, plans to redshirt for the remainder of the season and reenter the transfer portal in December. His departure raises questions about the circumstances of his financial agreement with the university and its impact on the undefeated team’s season.
Matthew Sluka joined UNLV this summer after a successful career at Holy Cross, where he was a standout quarterback. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior was a three-year starter and a two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which honors the top offensive player in the FCS. In 2023, he was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year after achieving 1,728 passing yards and 1,247 rushing yards, accumulating 29 total touchdowns.
After Holy Cross’s coaching staff moved to James Madison, Sluka entered the transfer portal and eventually chose UNLV, which had lost starting quarterback Jayden Maiava to USC. So far this season, Sluka has led all Mountain West quarterbacks in rushing yards per game and demonstrated impressive statistics, throwing for 318 yards, seven total touchdowns, and only one turnover, while guiding a Rebels offense that ranks fifth in FBS rushing.
UNLV, under coach Barry Odom, is having a strong season and is currently in contention for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff after upset victories against Big 12 opponents Houston and Kansas. The Rebels, now ranked No. 23 in the coaches poll, are aiming for a successful Mountain West campaign.
Sluka’s NIL representative, Marcus Cromartie, revealed that Sluka was promised at least $100,000 from a UNLV coach, but received only $3,000. Sluka’s father, Bob, explained that they had a verbal agreement with UNLV’s offensive coordinator for a “reasonable, fair number” compared to offers from larger programs, but payments were delayed and no formal contract was established. After a discussion between Odom and Cromartie, Odom allegedly refused to honor the agreement, claiming the offer was invalid as it didn’t come directly from him.
In a statement, UNLV indicated that Sluka’s representatives made financial demands the athletic department considered violations of NCAA rules. The university clarified that they do not engage in such practices.
College football players typically cannot enter the transfer portal mid-season; however, they are free to leave their programs. Sluka intends to utilize the four-game redshirt rule, allowing him to preserve an additional year of eligibility.
The situation underscores a prevalent issue in college athletics revolving around NIL agreements, as disputes over payments often occur without public disclosure. Sluka’s case mirrors others in which athletes challenge schools over unmet financial commitments, fueling ongoing discussions about the complexities of NIL arrangements as regulations continue to evolve.
Looking ahead, UNLV will rely on senior quarterbacks Hajj-Malik Williams and Cameron Friel as they prepare for Mountain West conference play, starting with a match against Fresno State. Williams, who transferred from Campbell, has already made an impact this season, while Friel has served as a reliable option over the past two years.