UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka will sit out the remainder of the 2024 season due to an apparent conflict related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements.
While Sluka did not specify the factors influencing his decision, the landscape for college athletes has shifted dramatically, with many now receiving compensation through NIL deals facilitated by school-affiliated collectives.
“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka shared 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.”
This senior quarterback has recorded 21 completions on 48 attempts, accumulating 318 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception for the Rebels this season. Additionally, he has rushed 39 times for 286 yards and scored a touchdown.
In a memorable game on September 13, Sluka guided the Rebels to a nail-biting 23-20 victory over Kansas, culminating in an impressive 18-play, 75-yard drive that concluded with Kylin James scoring on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with just 1:51 remaining. Sluka’s performance included 113 rushing yards.
The Rebels kicked off their season with a win against Houston, marking a 2-0 start against Big 12 teams and igniting aspirations for a spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
UNLV is set to host Fresno State (3-1, 1-0) for its Mountain West opener on Saturday.
Last season, UNLV finished with a 9-5 record and competed for the Mountain West conference championship. However, Jayden Maiava, the quarterback who led the team to its best season in nearly four decades, transferred to Southern California of the Big Ten.
Prior to joining UNLV, Sluka was recognized as one of the standout quarterbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), leading Holy Cross to the FCS playoffs in 2021 and 2022 as the starting quarterback.
Following a coaching change at Holy Cross, with head coach Bob Chesney moving to James Madison, Sluka decided to pursue new opportunities.
He concluded his tenure at Holy Cross as one of the program’s all-time greats, holding the record for career pass efficiency (147.4), ranking second in career rushing yards (3,583) and rushing touchdowns (38), and fifth in both career passing yards (5,916) and passing touchdowns (59).
In a remarkable feat, he set an NCAA Division I quarterback record with 330 rushing yards in a game against Lafayette in 2023.
