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Matthew Sluka made headlines this week with a decision to sit out the remainder of the season after starting three games at QB for the UNLV football team. Now, a teammate has followed suit.
Running back Michael Allen will also redshirt after playing in the Rebels‘ first three contests of the 2024 season.
He, too, cites unfulfilled promises in his reasoning behind the decision. The ball carrier plans to enter the transfer portal at season’s end.
Allen posted a message on X to announce his decision.
“After 3 games, I have decided to utilize my redshirt & enter the portal at the end of the season as a RS JR,” he said. “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.”
After 3 games, I have decided to utilize my redshirt & enter the 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. pic.twitter.com/B96hO1pxG5
— Michael Allen (@MichaelAllen8_) September 25, 2024
Michael Allen previously played at NC State before transferring to UNLV ahead of the football season. With the Wolfpack, he ran the ball 105 times for 519 yards and a touchdown across two years.
He played a major role in the Rebels’ season opening win against Houston as he carried the ball 10 times for 65 yards.
Allen’s decision mirrors that of starting signal caller Matthew Sluka, who claims to have been swindled out of $100,000 in NIL money.
Sluka’s agent caught some blame as there was reportedly no written agreement in place, yet the quarterback’s camp claims that verbal negotiations led to his initial commitment.
Sluka says that UNLV promised to dole out his NIL money in a payment plan, but when continuously asked about the deal, the school kept pushing those payment dates back.
Michael Allen appears to have found himself in a similarly unfortunate situation, though he clarified NIL wasn’t the cause.
My decision has no ties to NIL agreements. This is due to on-field opportunities. I did not receive a dime from any UNLV collective.
— Michael Allen (@MichaelAllen8_) September 25, 2024
Was playing time a factor? He’s seen his carries diminish with each passing week, rushing the ball just once in the Rebels’ most recent win.
With the decision to transfer, the Rebels are now down two players in the backfield as they gear up for a conference matchup with rival Fresno State.