The UNLV Rebels received a massive blow to the team after quarterback Matthew Sluka made a shocking announcement.
Sluka announced via Instagram that he would be redshirting for the remainder of the 2024 season and exiting the Rebels program. The quarterback cited ‘promises’ from the football staff that were agreed upon before his commitment. Sluka states that the Rebels staff did not meet their side of the agreements and broke promises, which had led to his decision.
The quarterback was pivotal in the huge upset win over the ranked Kansas Jayhawks, recording 124-yards rushing.
The shocking decision from the possible College Football Playoff quarterback not only surprised fans, but also shocked the entire college football world. Many coaches and analysts are calling for ‘collegiate contracts’ to enforce both sides of the issue.
BREAKING: Matthew Sluka quits on teammates, fans, and school over money
At least your Saturdays are free now @MatthewSluka pic.twitter.com/m5zaeSJdKa
— Barstool UNLV (@rebsbarstool) September 25, 2024
Matt sluka redshirting from unlv ( quitting on his teammates ) when he was the starting quarterback just so he can have an extra year of making NIL money at another school who offered him more is nasty work https://t.co/Q0clmGbChq
— John (@iam_johnw) September 25, 2024
Sluka is in his final year of collegiate eligibility, and without a redshirt this season, his collegiate career clock would run out. The quarterback will enter the transfer portal to seek to play out his final year of eligibility elsewhere.
New era of CFB is here:
UNLV’s QB, Matthew Sluka, seems to have redshirted in response to NIL money being “not upheld.”
UNLV is 3-0 and in the running for the G5 spot in the playoff. https://t.co/C2dVUNbmzV
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 25, 2024
Some fans also believe the conference realignment may have played a potential role in the transfer of Sluka. UNLV missed out on the Pac-12 Conference, and could fail to make it into the Mountain West Conference as well which has resulted in limited NIL funds. The Rebels could potential sneak into a playoff spot this season as the Group of Five contender which would pose a huge financial boost, but it remains a long shot.
For Sluka to sit out the remainder of the season, the quarterback could join a team next season that is in a much different position than they are during the 2024 season.
UNLV Rebels Quarterback Matthew Sluka Opts Out of Remaining 2024 Games, Takes Redshirt
While it might not seem like a big blow for UNLV on paper, the quarterback has been known to put together impressive seasons.
The final 2024 season stats for Sluka include 318-yards passing, six touchdowns, and one interception through three games. Sluka also carried the ball 39 times through three games for 253-yards and a touchdown for the Rebels.
The quarterback previously set an NCAA record with 330-yards rushing and three touchdowns against Lafayette in a loss. The former Holy Cross quarterback holds the most rushing yards in a single game for the position. Sluka recorded over 3000-yards rushing with Holy Cross, including two 1200-yard rushing seasons.
Sluka is the first known college football athlete to exit a team midseason over rumored NIL issues. While Sluka and his father both deny that UNLV has been forward regarding financing, the Rebels staff and program continue to assert that Sluka was paid his total earnings in full.
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