UNLV Quarterback Quits 3-0 Team Out of Nowhere and It's Time to Call in a Backup
ICYMI, the biggest story in college football Wednesday is UNLV’s starting QB quitting the 3-0 Runnin’ Rebels team out of nowhere, saying he wasn’t paid the $100,000 an assistant coach promised him when he transferred in this season:
— Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) September 25, 2024
UNLV QB Matthew Sluka is out for season (NIL) despite 3-0 start 🤯
UNLV’s starting QB Matthew Sluka was reportedly verbally offered $100K by an assistant coach to transfer from Holy Cross, but UNLV showed “no effort” to finalize a contract, per @PeteThamel
Sluka stepped down… pic.twitter.com/LosMslunNO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 25, 2024
Bob Sluka, father of UNLV QB Matthew Sluka, told ESPN that his son’s agents agreed to an NIL deal with the school back in February, never received payments despite requests and never asked for any adjustments to the original deal.
“We have no idea what the hell happened.”
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 25, 2024
Is this not the total embodiment of college football today? Dumb college kid is promised $100k by an assistant coach to transfer. Shakes hands, doesn’t get anything in writing, and moves across the country just to never see a cent. Now he’s leaving his teammates out to dry with a G5 appearance on the line and opting out of the season to preserve his redshirt. And I’m all for paying players. I don’t even really blame this kid. I blame the people around him. The parents and the agents. What kind of agent is doing backdoor shady handshake deals in the year of our Lord 2024? This isn’t the Pony Express in the 80s dropping bags on Eric Dickerson’s doorstep or Nick Saban getting every starter a custom Dodge Charger a decade ago. It’s the new age of college football! All this stuff is out in the open now. College football teams are hiring GMs for god’s sake. You want $100k? Sign the deal. I hope this dude fires his agents. I have to see “Out for the season (NIL)” on an injury report. Please make it happen UNLV social team.
And here’s an even crazier wrinkle. The Rebs might have an out. There’s a world class athlete with eligibility left and a UNLV helmet they could call on for Saturday:
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) September 24, 2024
This is so cool! 🔥
Former Rebel Bryson Stott rocking a @unlvfootball celebrating a division title with the @Phillies ⚾️#ProRebels pic.twitter.com/oX6fme7eH1
— Paloma Villicana (@PalomaFOX5News) September 24, 2024
Bryson Stott — while wearing a UNLV football helmet — pouring Bud heavy on Bryce Harper. pic.twitter.com/S7168Urvph
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) September 24, 2024
Guy does have an arm:
What a play by Bryson Stott!
(Call was overturned, runner was out.) pic.twitter.com/wlSRBHoe6X
— John Foley (@2008Philz) September 19, 2024
“Oh no, Kyle! He’s going to get hurt before the playoffs!” Relax. The Rebs are playing Fresno State. This is the Mountain West for god’s sake, not the SEC. The only thing dangerous out in Vegas is a Raiders player driving. Stott’s not going to get hurt. Have him throw a couple touchdowns, go eat at the joints he used to for the memories, see his old dorm, and come back feeling refreshed for a playoff run. Imagine the Disney storybook ending. Stott comes back on Sunday and hits the game winner to propel the Phillies into first place. I mean Deion Sanders did it in the same day*.
Make the call. Unless you want the helmet in his locker staring at him all week, like the Green Goblin mask:
*How funny is it that people make this huge deal about Deion Sanders playing in a game in Miami and then flying to Pittsburgh for Game 5 of the NLCS – even though he didn’t even play? Is that the most overblown 30 for 30 ever or what? Guy’s got splinters in his ass, he’s flying in helicopters and private jets. Being escorted in limos to the game. And you’d think he was Bo Jackson actually contributing to the team they fluff it up so much.