Matthew Sluka, the starting quarterback for UNLV, announced on Tuesday night that he is leaving the team after starting the season with a 3-0 record. His departure stems from unmet promises regarding his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation.
Sluka, who transferred from Holy Cross, intends to take a redshirt season and reenter the transfer portal in December. His unexpected exit raises concerns about the specifics of his financial agreement with UNLV, the reasons behind its collapse, and the implications for the undefeated team losing its leading quarterback.
Sluka joined UNLV this summer following a successful tenure at Holy Cross, where he was a standout player and two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the best offensive player in the FCS. He had impressive statistics, including 1,728 passing yards and 1,247 rushing yards, resulting in 29 touchdowns last season.
After joining UNLV, Sluka stepped in for Jayden Maiava, who transferred to USC. In his first three games with the Rebels, Sluka excelled, leading all Mountain West quarterbacks in rushing yards per game, accumulating 253 rushing yards, 318 passing yards, seven total touchdowns, and only one turnover while contributing to an offense that ranks high nationally in rushing.
Coach Barry Odom has led UNLV to a promising start this season, with the team now 3-0 and aiming for a place in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. They recently defeated Kansas, where Sluka had a standout performance, rushing for 124 yards and contributing in the air.
However, issues arose regarding Sluka’s NIL compensation. His representative, Marcus Cromartie, stated that Sluka was promised at least $100,000, but he only received a mere $3,000. Sluka’s father mentioned an agreement with the offensive coordinator, but payments did not materialize, and discussions for a formal contract failed to progress.
After UNLV’s victory against Kansas, Sluka’s father claimed that Odom refused to honor the verbal commitment made by the staff, offering instead a lower amount for relocation costs. The university claimed that the demands made by Sluka’s camp were interpreted as a violation of NCAA rules, which it firmly denied.
While players cannot enter the transfer portal until December, they can leave their current programs at any time. Sluka’s intention to redshirt is a strategic move to maintain his eligibility for a future season.
This kind of conflict over NIL compensation is not uncommon but usually remains behind closed doors. Instances of players feeling misled regarding their NIL deals are frequent, highlighting the complexities of modern college athletics.
Sluka’s exit raises questions about the impact of ongoing changes to athlete compensation, especially with potential shifts in regulations on the horizon. Proposed changes could fundamentally alter how universities pay their athletes, with schools possibly paying athletes collectively through NIL initiatives.
Looking ahead, the Rebels will switch to other quarterbacks, including seniors Hajj-Malik Williams and Cameron Friel, as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Fresno State.