Former UNLV Quarterback Matt Sluka Joins James Madison After NIL Controversy
Quarterback Matt Sluka, who led UNLV to a perfect 3-0 record before departing from the Rebels amidst a public Name, Image, Likeness dispute, has announced that he will be joining James Madison for the 2025 season, according to the school's social media post on Wednesday.
The senior QB made the interesting decision to sit out after UNLV's impressive undefeated start, preserving his eligibility for another season by playing in less than four games. This move raised eyebrows among some observers, but Sluka explained that it was due to a disagreement over NIL compensation, claiming that UNLV failed to honor a promised $100,000 payment.
UNLV and its staff denied Sluka's accusation, as the quarterback threw for 318 yards and rushed for 253 yards with a total of seven touchdowns, leading the Rebels to victories over Power-Four opponents Houston and Kansas in the early part of the season.
Bob Chesney, who is currently the head coach at James Madison, was Sluka's coach at Holy Cross before the QB transferred to UNLV. When Sluka announced his decision to sit out, Chesney publicly supported him, stating, "Anyone who has played football for me and has given their all on the field, I stand by them 100 percent. He is not someone who can be bought."
After Sluka's departure, UNLV finished the season with an 11-3 record, with Hajj-Malik Williams taking over as the starting QB and leading the team to a victory in the LA Bowl against Cal.
Now, Sluka and Chesney will reunite at James Madison, where the Dukes ended their 2024 season with a 9-4 record and a win in the Boca Raton Bowl against Western Kentucky.
