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One year ago, Matthew Sluka was one of the biggest stories in the entire college football world.
Sluka, who began his college football career at Holy Cross, had transferred to UNLV where he became the starting quarterback and led the Rebels to a 3-0 start, putting them firmly in the discussion for a College Football Playoff bid as a Group of 5 team.
Then, seemingly suddenly, he left the team.
Initial reports suggested that Sluka planned to redshirt after being offered a significant NIL deal by a Power 4 school. But Sluka said that UNLV promised him payments that were never made.
“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 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,” he wrote on X.
Backup quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams took over and led UNLV to an 11-3 season, including a pair of losses to Mountain West champion Boise State. Sluka, meanwhile, struggled to find a new home amid the mess.
Eventually, however, he landed with a new team in January, and things worked out pretty well.
Matthew Sluka Makes College Football Playoff With James Madison
Sluka ultimately signed with the James Madison Dukes, where he spent this past season as the backup quarterback to Alonza Barnett II, the Sun Belt Player of the Year.
The Dukes blew out a number of opponents, meaning that Sluka got the chance to appear in eight games. He went just 8-of-11 passing for 100 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. But he also rushed for 239 yards and three touchdowns.
He also helped the Dukes make the College Football Playoff for the first time after Duke upset Virginia in the ACC Championship Game.
UNLV, meanwhile, went 10-3 (thus far) this season and again lost in the Mountain West Championship Game to Boise State. Coincidentally, Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea was the starting quarterback for the Rebels and first-year head coach Dan Mullen, this season.
As for Sluka, he’s seemingly out of eligibility, but could still appeal for an additional season.
Barnett is just a junior, so he’s expected to return to college in 2026. However, with James Madison head coach Bob Chesney leaving for UCLA, his starting QB could well follow. If so, Sluka could take the reins of a Dukes team fresh off a CFP appearance.