UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka leaving team amid playoff push

UNLV’s path to the playoffs became more perilous Tuesday, as starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced he is leaving the team effective immediately.

Sluka, a fifth-year senior, posted on social media that he intends to redshirt the rest of the 2024 season and preserve his final year of eligibility:

“I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season,” Sluka wrote. “I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”

The move comes just four days before UNLV is set to host Fresno State at Allegiant Stadium in the opening game of Mountain West play.

After winning a protracted training camp battle, Sluka started the first three contests and helped UNLV to a 3-0 start, positioning the Scarlet and Gray as legitimate contenders for a College Football Playoff berth. Sluka was especially impressive in a 23-20 victory at Kansas on Sept. 13, leading a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

Following the Kansas win, UNLV entered the USA Today Coaches Poll at No. 25, the first time the program had ever been ranked. On Sunday, UNLV moved up two spots to No. 23.

Sluka transferred to UNLV from Holy Cross, where he amassed video-game numbers as a passer and runner. Over the first three games of the 2024 campaign, he completed 43.8% of his passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns; he was more effective with his legs, rushing for 253 yards and a touchdown.

Against Kansas, Sluka carried 19 times for a team-high 124 yards.

With Sluka bailing, UNLV will likely turn to No. 2 quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams as the starter against Fresno State. Williams pushed for the No. 1 job throughout the offseason and looked sharp in the spring game, where he completed 14-of-22 passes for 227 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

As a fifth-year senior, Sluka is eligible to enter the portal at any time and is likely to have multiple suitors vying for his services. Players are allowed to appear in up to four games in a season and still maintain redshirt status, so Sluka will have one year of college eligibility remaining.

In his post announcing his departure from UNLV, Sluka alluded to issues with NIL payments as the reason for his exit.

“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” he wrote. “Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.