ESPN “College GameDay” panelist Rece Davis was critical of Matthew Sluka amid the UNLV saga.
Sluka, who started three games at quarterback for UNLV this year, left the team over what he claims are unfulfilled NIL promises.
He plans to redshirt this year and then play elsewhere next year.
“If you make a dumb mistake in life, if I do, Matthew Sluka does, or whoever, sometimes you have to wear that,” Davis said on Saturday. And going in there and expecting something without writing, and then they don’t give it to you, you can’t just bail on the team.
“You gotta wear the fastball in the ribs sometimes and go, ‘That was my bad.’”
Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie, alleged to ESPN that Friends of UNLV — the school’s NIL collective — did not pay $100,000 that was promised verbally to him by one of the team’s assistant coaches.
Sluka’s father Bob told the outlet that UNLV head coach Barry Odom said the offer wasn’t valid since it did not come from him, but rather offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
The offer was not in writing.
“You were talking about loyalty to the program — Matthew Sluka came from Holy Cross, he was a terrific player there,” Davis said. “But he arrived in July — there wasn’t a deep-seeded tie. Probably, the Occam’s razor philosophy, the most likely thing is probably true. And it is probably true that he was promised something and it was not delivered. That is likely true.
“It is obviously true he didn’t have it in writing.”
Sluka had completed 43.8 percent of his passes for 318 yards, six touchdowns and one interception and added 253 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
UNLV started the season 3-0 for the first time since 1984.
Friends of UNLV did pay Sluka $3,000 for an appearance he made over the summer, according to the report, but the collective denied ever offering the $100,000 during his recruitment.
“Additionally, Friends of UNLV did not finalize or agree to any NIL offers while he was part of the team, aside from a completed event over the summer.
“… We take out commitments very seriously. We would like to emphasize that we have upheld all Friends of UNLV contracts this season, and have not defaulted on any agreements with Mr. Sluka. Our commitment to supporting Rebel student-athletes remains unwavering, and we are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our programs.”
