UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka is stepping away from the Rebels program and will redshirt with intentions of entering the transfer portal, he announced late Tuesday on social media. Sluka attributed the leave to “certain representations” that the school made to him when he transferred from Holy Cross this offseason.
“I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season,” Sluka said. “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.”
The Rebels are off to a 3-0 start to the 2024 season under Sluka’s watch. In the first three games, Sluka threw for 318 yards and six touchdowns and also added another dynamic as a runner, posting 253 yards rushing and a touchdown.
UNLV is one of the top early contenders to secure the Group of Five bid to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The Rebels are coming off an impressive 23-20 win over Kansas and have another Power Four win over Houston.
With Sluka out, UNLV will turn to Hajj-Malik Williams or Cameron Friel as the starter for the rest of the season. Williams transferred in this past offseason from Campbell, while Friel has been with the program since 2021. Friel played significant snaps as a true freshman during the 2021 season, completing 62.4% of his attempts for 1,608 yards and six touchdowns. He has only attempted 50 passes in the last three seasons since.
UNLV hosts Fresno State on Saturday in its Mountain West Conference opener.
