UNLV star quarterback Matthew Sluka announced late Tuesday night that he’s leaving the UNLV football team (3-0 straight up, 3-0 against the spread) and will use his redshirt so he can play elsewhere in 2025.
In a statement released to his social media accounts, Sluka said, “I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season. I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports is Sluka’s NIL rep. Cromartie told ESPN that there was a verbal promise to Sluka to be compensated $100,000 from a UNLV assistant for transferring to play for the Rebels.
Per Cromartie, none of that money was ever paid. Once Sluka was enrolled, UNLV’s collective made no effort to formalize a contract. After repeated efforts from Cromartie to address the issue with Barry Odom’s staff and the school, the collective responded with a contract offer of $3,000 per month over a four-month stretch.
That’s obviously only $12,000 and nowhere near the verbal assurances of being paid $100,000. Cromartie told Thamel that the only money provided by UNLV to Sluka was a $3,000 stipend for his moving expenses.
With it becoming increasingly clear that no more money – other than the $12,000 offer – was coming his way, Sluka made the decision to shut down his season and conserve another year of eligibility. He’ll spend the rest of the fall working out with a trainer, according to Thamel.
Then he’ll enter the transfer portal and be able to participate in spring practice with his new team ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Sluka, a transfer from Holy Cross, has completed only 21-of-48 passes (43.8%) for 318 yards and six touchdowns compared to just one interception. He has 253 rushing yards, one TD and a 6.5 yards-per-carry average.
Before the news broke, most books had UNLV installed as a three or 3.5-point favorite for Saturday’s home game vs. Fresno St. The line went down to -1 and even pick ’em at a few spots this morning, but the Rebels are now back up to -1.5. The total slightly shifted from 49.5 points to 48.5 points.
Barry Odom has two different options for his starting QB vs. the Bulldogs on Saturday. There’s senior Cameron Friel and Campbell transfer Hajj-Malik Williams.
In four seasons with the Rebels, Friel has started 10 times in 15 career games. He’s completed 63.4 percent of his throws for 2,002 yards with a mediocre 9/12 TD-INT ratio. Friel played in only one game last year and didn’t attempt a pass. He’s played once this year, completing a 30-yard pass on his only attempt.
Williams started 40 games in five seasons at the FCS level with Campbell. He had a 58/28 career TD-INT ratio. Williams has appeared in two of three games for UNLV this season, producing 88 rushing yards on 10 attempts. He hasn’t attempted a pass.
UNLV has the third-shortest odds to win the Mountain West Championship Game (+500). Boise St. is the -130 ‘chalk,’ and Fresno St. has +300 odds.