Fresno State will not have to face one of the more exciting players in the Mountain West on Saturday.
UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka announced late Tuesday night that he is taking his redshirt year after playing four games and will transfer from UNLV.
The big picture: Sluka posted a message on X saying he “committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to” him that were not upheld after he enrolled in the university.
- He said it became clear to him that the “commitments would not be fulfilled in the future.”
Driving the news: Sluka transferred to UNLV ahead of the season after four years at Holy Cross.
- He has helped lead the Rebels to a 3-0 start and a No. 23 ranking in the coaches poll, the first time UNLV has ever been nationally ranked.
Go deeper: Marcus Cromartie, Sluka’s agent, told ESPN that UNLV did not pay out on a $100,000 verbal offer from an assistant coach.
- Rob Sine, the CEO of Blueprint Sports, operates UNLV’s name image and likeness (NIL) collective. He told Yahoo Sports that the collective never agreed to a $100,000 deal with Sluka.
- The collective reportedly made a one-time $3,000 payment to Sluka with discussions of monthly $3,000 payments moving forward.
What they’re saying: UNLV released a statement on Wednesday, saying Sluka made demands that violated NCAA pay-for-play rules.
- “Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing,” the university said. “UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law. UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.”
- The university added, “UNLV has conducted its due diligence and will continue to operate its programs within the framework of NCAA rules and regulations, as well as Nevada state laws.”
What we’re watching: With Sluka out of the picture, Fresno State will either see Hajj-Malik Williams or Cameron Friel under center for the Rebels.
- Both quarterbacks were listed as Sluka’s backup on the team’s depth chart this week.
- Williams transferred to UNLV before the year from Campbell University. He has not thrown a pass in his limited action so far this year, but he has 10 rushes for 88 yards on the ground.
- Friel is in his fourth year with the Rebels and has started 10 times over his collegiate career.
- That included 2021, when he had eight starts and was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year.
