An unprecedented disagreement over the NIL has led to UNLV's starting quarterback, Matthew Sluka, being benched for the remainder of the season. The surprising move comes as the Rebels historic 3-0, their best in four decades, and throws their promising season into uncertainty.
Sluka announced his intent to redshirt Tuesday, citing unfulfilled promises made during his recruitment. His agent, Marcus Cromartie, claims an assistant coach verbally committed to at least $100,000 in NIL compensation, but Sluka only received a $3,000 transfer salary. Sluka's father, Bob, confirmed these claims, saying that two agents negotiated the deal in February and that they did not request additional funds despite the team's success. He also expressed frustration with UNLV coach Barry Odom's refusal to honor the supposed agreement.
UNLV responded with a statement Wednesday, alleging that Sluka's agent made “financial demands” that they considered a violation of the NCAA's pay-for-play rules and Nevada state law. The university insists it has honored all existing scholarship agreements with Sluka and is not negotiating under duress. Blueprint Sports, UNLV's NIL collective, denied making a formal offer to Sluka as a recruit and said it had only finalized a $3,000 payment for a community involvement event.
While redshirting to preserve eligibility is a common tactic for players who lack playing time, Sluka's decision is unusual given his starting role and the team's success. UNLV, currently projected with an 18% chance of making the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, faces a significant challenge in replacing its quarterback. Their impressive wins against Houston and Kansas demonstrate their potential, and the loss of Sluka raises questions about their ability to maintain the momentum.
Sluka, a transfer from Holy Cross, where he was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, was instrumental in UNLV's strong start. His dual-threat skills were on full display, leading the team in rushing and throwing for six touchdowns in three games. This mirrors the loss of starting quarterback Jayden Maiava to the transfer portal last year, further highlighting the challenges of player retention in the NIL era.
UNLV now faces the difficult task of finding a replacement for Sluka, with potential candidates including FCS transfer Hajj-Malik Williams, senior Cameron Friel and true freshman Gael Ochoa. The team will rely heavily on star receiver Ricky White III to maintain offensive production. The loss of running back Michael Allen in the transfer portal adds to the team's woes. The next game against Fresno State will be a crucial test for the Rebels as they navigate this unexpected leadership void.