Welcome To Wild, Wild West Of College Sports: UNLV Quarterback Sluka Leaves Football Program To Apparently Chase More NIL Money At Another College
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
College sports sure looks like pro sports.
During a week in which UNLV is coping with conference realignment issues, UNLV Rebels starting quarterback Matthew Sluka said Tuesday night that he’s gone after three games, apparently seeking another college where he can be paid more NIL money than UNLV.
Sluka informed the public about his departure from UNLV with this social media announcement tonight:
“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka wrote on social media. “Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future.”
Wednesday morning update
ESPN reported that a UNLV assistant football coach, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, promised Sluka $100,000 but the money was never paid. UNLV head coach Barry Odom, however, said the offer was invalid because Odom did not make the offer.
UNLV has issued this statement:
Sluka leaves after leading UNLV to three consecutive wins, including road victories against Big 12 teams Houston in the season-opener and Kansas in an upset for the third win. The 3-0 UNLV team cracked the college coaches poll at a number 25 ranking after defeating Kansas, 23-20.
UNLV coach Barry Odom said during Mountain West football media days in 2023 that NIL money is part of the UNLV football program, but it will not be the focus of the recruiting efforts.
Coming to UNLV from Holy Cross, Sluka does not seem to be the caliber of quarterback to play in the National Football League. So the six-foot, three-inch 215-pounder is likely trying to cash in on his football skills at the collegiate level.
In his three games with UNLV, he completed only 44 percent of his pass attempts, completing 21 of 48 passes for only 318 yards.
He did throw six touchdown passes with only one interception. And Sluka did prove to be an elusive runner, rushing for 59 yards against Houston, 70 against Utah Tech and 124 against Kansas.
But in the wins over Houston and Kansas, Sluka did not even throw for 100 yards in each of the games.
UNLV had last week off and plays Mountain West foe Fresno State Saturday at 12:30 PM at Allegiant Stadium.
Sluka’s move to the transfer portal is just the latest example of how college football and basketball players seem like free agents chasing the best financial compensation deals from NIL collectives funded by college donors and brands.
UNLV is also dealing with conference realignment issues after five Mountain West colleges said they are leaving for the newly-revamped Pac-12 conference. Utah State is the fifth Mountain West college to leave.
UNLV has two quarterbacks who can replace Sluka. There’s Hajj-Malik Williams, a senior transfer from Campbell, and senior Cameron Friel.
As for UNLV’s conference affiliation, the Rebels are still in the Mountain West. For now.
Here’s some reactions on social media to the Sluka move:
