After transferring from Holy Cross this offseason, Matthew Sluka led UNLV to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1984, including wins over Big 12 opponents Houston and Kansas. However, leading into the Rebels’ Week 5 Mountain West matchup with Fresno State, Sluka announced he would utilize his redshirt and sit the rest of the season.
What went wrong, and if the QB decides to transfer, which landing spots make the most sense?
Landing Spots for Matthew Sluka
Late Tuesday night, Sluka made the announcement on X, stirring Rebels fans into a frenzy and shocking the entire college football world.
— Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) September 25, 2024
Sluka’s recent post subtly indicates his dissatisfaction with the NIL agreements made before he arrived at UNLV, a sentiment confirmed by his agent, Marcus Cromartie. According to Cromartie, an unnamed assistant coach at UNLV verbally promised Sluka $100,000 to play for the Rebels. However, reports indicate that Sluka has only received $3,000 thus far.
The situation is further complicated by reports of Sluka receiving a more lucrative NIL offer from another program for next season. Without redshirting in 2024, he would exhaust his eligibility, missing out on future earning potential.
Despite modest passing stats, Sluka leads the Mountain West in yards per completion and is the Rebels’ leading rusher. With his decision made, only one question remains: Where will Sluka play in 2025?
James Madison Dukes
The first landing spot comes with a massive caveat. If redshirt sophomore Alonza Barnett III decides to return to Harrisonburg, Va., after an eye-opening campaign, the Dukes won’t even glance at QBs in the transfer portal.
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However, if Barnett parlays his success into a Power Five opportunity, a reunion with head coach Bob Chesney and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy could be in the cards for Sluka.
Under Chesney and Kennedy’s guidance at Holy Cross, Sluka generated 5,916 passing yards, 3,583 rushing yards, and 97 total touchdowns over four years (three starting), culminating in 2023 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and FCS All-American honors.
Colorado Buffaloes
With Shedeur Sanders all but destined to leave for the NFL next spring, Colorado will once again be in the market for a QB. And if Deion Sanders has shown anything since arriving in Boulder, Colo., it’s that he prefers to fill roster gaps via the transfer portal.
With no real prospects behind Shedeur, the Buffaloes could consider bringing in Sluka. He’s already spent time in the Mountain Time Zone, and his dual-threat ability could be key for a program with a work-in-progress offensive line.
Even if Coach Prime follows Shedeur out the door, Sluka could come in and help usher in a new era under a new head coach.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Sluka is a Northeast native, having grown up on Long Island and spending the first four years of his college career at Holy Cross, an FCS program in Massachusetts. A move to Rutgers would bring him closer to home, and he’s exactly the type of quarterback Greg Schiano loves — tough, willing to take hits as a runner, and a true dual-threat.
With Rutgers shifting away from the passing game in recent seasons, Sluka’s skill set fits perfectly with Schiano’s run-heavy, clock-control philosophy that has Rutgers sitting at 3-0 after an impressive win over Virginia Tech.
Schiano added redshirt junior Athan Kaliakmanis from Minnesota and signed three-star true freshman AJ Surace in the offseason, but Sluka’s tools make him an ideal fit with the Scarlet Knights.
Syracuse Orange
Rutgers isn’t the only Northeast team that could be in the market for a QB next offseason. While Sryacuse QB Kyle McCord has another year of eligibility, he could declare for the NFL Draft or opt to transfer once more, thanks to his hot start.
First-year head coach Fran Brown was one of the most active coaches in the portal last offseason, and Sluka, being a local talent, would raise the floor for an Orange team competing in a wide-open ACC.
FCS Program
In truth, a return to the FCS could be Sluka’s only option if his decision to sit out the year rubs FBS programs the wrong way. If that’s the case, he could return to a Holy Cross team sitting at 1-3 under new leadership and shepherd the program’s redemption arc in 2025.
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New Hampshire, Monmouth, and Villanova are a trio of established FCS programs in the Northeast that will likely need a new starter under center next season. Joining any of these teams could provide Sluka with the chance to reclaim his status as a premier collegiate QB in his home region.
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