Matthew Sluka and UNLV are some of the early-season darlings of the 2024 college football season. The school is 3-0 after a strong start, and in the driver’s seat for the Group of 5’s automatic berth in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. As for Sluka, who transferred to UNLV after a stellar career at Holy Cross, he has thrown for 318 yards and 6 touchdowns, while adding another 253 yards and a score on the ground.
UNLV last played on September 13, and notched a big win on the road over Kansas. Sluka threw a touchdown in UNLV’s 23-20 win, and added a team-high 124 rushing yards on 19 carries.
However, it now appears that will be his final game in a UNLV uniform.
Sluka announced on social media that he would utilize his redshirt year, not play in any additional games this season, and enter the transfer portal. Sluka cited unfulfilled “commitments” in his announcement:
“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.”
Sluka put together an incredible resume at Holy Cross, as he was a three-year starter at quarterback. He was twice a Walter Payton Award Finalist and was selected as the 2023 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. Sluka threw for 5,916 career yards with 59 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions while at Holy Cross. He transferred to UNLV this past offseason.
The announcement from Sluka, with the reference to “certain representations,” seems to indicate that his decision is related to issues over NIL payments and promises, perhaps an inevitable byproduct of the NIL system in college athletics.
With Sluka sitting out, UNLV likely turns to Hajj-Malik Williams, who pushed Sluka for the starting job this spring. Williams connected on 14-of-22 passes for 227 yards in UNLV’s spring game, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
As a fifth-year senior, Sluka can enter the transfer portal at any time.
