The beginning quarterback for UNLV will sit out the remainder of the season due to a disagreement over funds following his switch to the varsity.
Matthew Sluka stated Tuesday he deliberate to redshirt this season by not taking part in in any extra video games. His determination, which comes on the heels of UNLV’s first 3-0 begin in 40 years, is unprecedented in school soccer’s new age of participant motion and title, picture and likeness negotiations.
Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie, informed ESPN that Sluka was “verbally promised” a minimum of $100,000 by an assistant coach earlier than committing to the varsity this offseason, however has obtained solely a $3,000 relocation stipend. Sluka’s father, Bob, informed The Athletic that two brokers negotiated the cash over the cellphone in February and that they didn’t ask for something further through the group’s sizzling begin to the season.
“Basically they refused, (coach) Barry Odom refused to provide us the cash,” Bob Sluka stated. “We tried every thing. We’d take funds. Something. And so they simply saved deferring it and deferring it, and to today, we have no idea why.”
In a press release Wednesday, UNLV stated Sluka’s agent made “monetary calls for” to the varsity and its NIL collective so as to proceed taking part in.
“UNLV Athletics interpreted these calls for as a violation of the NCAA’s pay-for-play guidelines, in addition to Nevada state regulation,” the varsity stated. “UNLV doesn’t have interaction in such exercise, nor does it reply to implied threats. UNLV has honored all beforehand agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.”
Blueprint Sports activities, which operates UNLV’s NIL collective, stated it didn’t make a proper NIL supply to Sluka as a recruit, nor did it “finalize or conform to” any gives whereas Sluka was on the group except for one group engagement occasion. Rob Sine, the CEO of Blueprint Sports activities, informed a number of reporters the collective made one fee of $3,000 to Sluka.
“We wish to emphasize that we now have upheld all Mates of UNILV contracts this season, and haven’t defaulted on any agreements with Mr. Sluka,” Blueprint Sports activities stated within the assertion.
In a press release Wednesday, the NCAA stated that whereas it helps school athletes “profiting off NIL,” it pointed to the “little oversight and accountability” within the area.
“Optimistic adjustments are underway on the NCAA to ship extra advantages to student-athletes however with out clear authorized authority granted by the courts or by Congress, the NCAA, conferences and colleges have restricted authority to control third events concerned in NIL transactions,” stated NCAA senior vp for exterior affairs Tim Buckley.
The in-season determination to redshirt and protect eligibility for a possible switch has change into a pattern throughout school soccer over the previous two seasons. Gamers can play in 4 video games and nonetheless redshirt a season.
Previously, although, these strikes have usually been made by gamers who’re buried on the depth chart and aren’t receiving significant snaps. Sluka, in distinction, was the beginning quarterback of a group that has been one of many feel-good tales of the 2024 season with an opportunity to win its convention and, maybe, attain the expanded 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff.
The Group of 5 is assured a minimum of one spot within the Playoff, and The Athletic’s projections give UNLV, which performs within the Mountain West, an 18 % likelihood to make it. The Rebels’ resume already contains wins over Huge 12 foes Houston and Kansas.
This system had simply two profitable seasons from 2000 by means of 2022. Odom, now in his second 12 months, gained 9 video games in his first season as Rebels coach and took the group to the Mountain West Championship Sport for the primary time.
Sluka, who’s from Locust Valley, N.Y., transferred to UNLV this offseason after spending the earlier 4 years at Holy Cross, an FCS program. In 2023, he was named Patriot League Offensive Participant of the 12 months after he handed for 1,728 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 1,247 yards. He completed fourth in voting for the Walter Payton Award, which is awarded to the FCS’ most excellent offensive participant.
— Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) September 25, 2024
Via three video games this season, Sluka has thrown for 318 yards, six touchdowns and one interception and leads the group in speeding with 253 yards and a landing.
In his assertion Tuesday, Sluka alluded to guarantees made on the time of his dedication that he stated had not been fulfilled.
“I dedicated to UNLV based mostly on sure representations that had 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,” he wrote. “I want my teammates the very best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of this system.”
After reaching the Mountain West Championship Sport final season, UNLV misplaced its earlier beginning quarterback to the switch portal. Jayden Maiava spearheaded the Rebels’ run and was named 2023 Mountain West Freshman of the 12 months. He was pursued by high-profile applications like Georgia and USC. He ultimately determined to play for the Trojans and is the backup to Miller Moss.
Now, UNLV has misplaced its beginning quarterback once more, however this time throughout the first month of the season and with a 3-1 Fresno State group touring to Las Vegas to face the Rebels on Saturday afternoon. Working again Michael Allen, who had 19 carries for 108 yards in three video games, additionally stated Wednesday he’s coming into the switch portal and utilizing his redshirt, saying his expectations for alternatives weren’t met.
At quarterback, UNLV might flip to FCS switch Hajj-Malik Williams, who handed for 8,236 yards and 58 touchdowns in 5 seasons at Campbell. Williams has been on campus with the Rebels for the reason that spring.
The one quarterback on UNLV’s roster who has tried a go this season is senior Cameron Friel, who accomplished a 30-yard go in a 72-14 win over Utah Tech. Friel was named Mountain West Freshman of the 12 months in 2021 after he handed for 1,608 yards, six touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Friel tried 226 passes that season, however solely 50 within the three seasons since.
True freshman Gael Ochoa, a three-star recruit, additionally joined this system in January.
Whoever begins will take pleasure in throwing to star receiver Ricky White III, who has simply 126 receiving yards this season however posted 1,314 yards in 2023.
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(Picture: Tre. Smith / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)