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An unprecedented NIL disagreement has led UNLV’s starting quarterback, Matthew Sluka, to bench himself for the remainder of the season. The surprising move comes amidst the Rebels’ historic 3-0 start, their best in four decades, and throws their promising season into uncertainty.
Sluka announced his intention to redshirt on Tuesday, citing unmet promises made during his recruitment. His agent, Marcus Cromartie, alleges that an assistant coach verbally committed to at least $100,000 in NIL compensation, but Sluka has only received a $3,000 relocation stipend. Sluka’s father, Bob, confirmed these claims, stating that two agents negotiated the deal in February and that they haven’t requested additional funds despite the team’s success. He further expressed frustration with UNLV coach Barry Odom’s refusal to honor the alleged agreement.
UNLV responded with a statement on Wednesday, claiming that Sluka’s agent made “financial demands” they considered a violation of NCAA pay-for-play rules and Nevada state law. The university insists they’ve honored all existing scholarship agreements with Sluka and don’t negotiate under duress. Blueprint Sports, UNLV’s NIL collective, denied making a formal offer to Sluka as a recruit and stated they only finalized one $3,000 payment for a community engagement event.
While redshirting to preserve eligibility is a common tactic for players lacking playing time, Sluka’s decision is unusual given his starting role and the team’s success. UNLV, currently projected with an 18% chance to make the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, faces a significant challenge in replacing their quarterback. Their impressive wins against Houston and Kansas demonstrate their potential, and the loss of Sluka raises questions about their ability to maintain momentum.
Sluka, a transfer from Holy Cross, where he was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, has been instrumental in UNLV’s strong start. His dual-threat capabilities have been on full display, leading the team in rushing and throwing for six touchdowns in three games. This situation mirrors last year’s loss of starting quarterback Jayden Maiava to the transfer portal, further highlighting the challenges of player retention in the era of NIL.
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 to the transfer portal adds to the team’s woes. The upcoming game against Fresno State will be a crucial test for the Rebels as they navigate this unexpected leadership void.
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