UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka and Rebel running back Michael Allen have decided to forgo the remainder of the 2024 season, opting to utilize their redshirt status in hopes of transferring to another program.
Sluka made his announcement late last Tuesday via an Instagram post.
“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.”
Sluka led the Rebels to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1984, including two wins over Big-12 programs such as the Houston Cougars and Kansas Jayhawks.
He currently leads the Rebels’ rushing attack with 254 yards on the season and six total touchdowns, including five through the air and one using his legs.
The news comes late in week five as Sluka and the Rebels were gearing up to begin Mountain West Conference play at home against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
The Rebels’ following quarterback options include sixth-year transfer Hajj-Malik Williams and senior Cameron Friel, who both played in UNLV’s 72-14 win over Utah Tech.
Williams rushed for 88 yards on 10 carries, while Friel rushed for one touchdown and threw for 30 yards on one attempt under center.
Athletic Director Erick Harper went live in an interview with FOX 5 on Wednesday morning, discussing the team overall and Slukas’s departure.
“You do the best you can within the confines of the NCAA rules stated at this particular point in time,” Harper stated. “Things like this will continue to come up as we move through this era of NIL.”
Later Wednesday afternoon, UNLV Athletics put out an official statement saying,
Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing. UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules and 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.
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.
The news of Sluka’s decision gained national attention, sparking conversations and structure for NIL deals among college athletes.
Sluka was not the only one to make this decision before the redshirt deadline date in week five as Allen also elected to move on from the UNLV football program.
Allen announced the news Wednesday via an X post.
“After 3 games, I have decided to utilize my redshirt & enter the transfer portal at the end of the season as a RS JR. I’m grateful for UNLV & wish them nothing but success. Expectations for opportunities unfortunately were not met & I am excited to continue my football career.”
Allen had rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries so far in the 2024 season.
The Rebels will now look to Jai’Den Thomas, Greg Burrell and Kylin James to lead the Rebels’ rushing attack.
Greg Burrell now has the highest rushing yard total after Sluka and Allen have made their respective decisions to redshirt.
The true freshman from Desert Pines High School in the Las Vegas Valley has 126 yards on 20 carries this year and a touchdown.
In a wild week for UNLV athletics that included an announcement to stay in the Mountain West conference, these reports only added more eyes nationally to the program.
