Matthew Sluka and UNLV are a number of the early-season darlings of the 2024 faculty soccer season. The college is 3-0 after a robust begin, and within the driver’s seat for the Group of 5’s computerized berth within the inaugural 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff. As for Sluka, who transferred to UNLV after a stellar profession at Holy Cross, he has thrown for 318 yards and 6 touchdowns, whereas including one other 253 yards and a rating on the bottom.
UNLV final performed on September 13, and notched a giant win on the highway over Kansas. Sluka threw a landing in UNLV’s 23-20 win, and added a team-high 124 speeding yards on 19 carries.
Nonetheless, it now seems that will probably be his ultimate recreation in a UNLV uniform.
Sluka introduced on social media that he would make the most of his redshirt 12 months, not play in any extra video games this season, and enter the switch portal. Sluka cited unfulfilled “commitments” in his announcement:
“I’ve determined to make the most of my redshirt 12 months and won’t be enjoying in any extra video games this season,” Sluka mentioned. ”I dedicated to UNLV primarily based on sure representations that have been made to me, which weren’t upheld after I enrolled. Regardless of discussions, it turned clear that these commitments wouldn’t be fulfilled sooner or later. I want my teammates the very best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of this system.”
His father and agent offered a bit of extra context to ESPN. The QB was reportedly promised $100,000 when he transferred there, and the cash by no means got here.
Former UNLV QB Matthew Sluka’s NIL illustration, Marcus Cromartie of Fairness Sports activities, advised ESPN that Sluka was verbally promised a minimal of $100,000 from a UNLV assistant coach for transferring there. None of that cash was paid, per Cormartie.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 25, 2024
Bob Sluka, father of UNLV QB Matthew Sluka, advised ESPN that his son’s brokers agreed to an NIL cope with the varsity again in February, by no means obtained funds regardless of requests and by no means requested for any changes to the unique deal.
“We do not know what the hell occurred.”
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 25, 2024
UNLV launched an announcement on Thursday alleging that Sluka’s consultant made “monetary calls for” on the college for Sluka to maintain enjoying:
Replace: Sluka shouldn’t be the one UNLV participant to announce on Monday that he was coming into the portal. Working again Michael Allen turned the second participant to enter the portal, citing alternatives that “weren’t met:”
After 3 video games, I’ve determined to make the most of my redshirt & enter the portal on the finish of the season as a RS JR. I am grateful for UNLV & want them nothing however success. Expectations for alternatives sadly weren’t met & I’m excited to proceed my soccer profession. pic.twitter.com/B96hO1pxG5
— Michael Allen (@MichaelAllen8_) September 25, 2024
Nonetheless, the working again later clarified that his determination had nothing to do with NIL agreements, however reasonably “on-field alternatives.” Allen has 19 carries for 108 yards this season for UNLV.
Sluka put collectively an unbelievable resume at Holy Cross, as he was a three-year starter at quarterback. He was twice a Walter Payton Award Finalist and was chosen because the 2023 Patriot League Offensive Participant of the Yr. Sluka threw for five,916 profession yards with 59 touchdowns and simply 15 interceptions whereas at Holy Cross. He transferred to UNLV this previous offseason.
The announcement from Sluka, with the reference to “sure representations,” appears to point that his determination is expounded to points over NIL funds and guarantees, maybe an inevitable byproduct of the NIL system in faculty athletics.
With Sluka sitting out, UNLV seemingly turns to Hajj-Malik Williams, who pushed Sluka for the beginning job this spring. Williams related on 14-of-22 passes for 227 yards in UNLV’s spring recreation, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
As a fifth-year senior, Sluka can enter the switch portal at any time.
