UNLV will be down another skill position player for the rest of the season.
One day after quarterback Matthew Sluka announced he would be would not be playing in any more games this season, running back Michael Allen posted on social media Wednesday that he would be redshirting the rest of the season with the intention of going into the transfer portal.
“After 3 games, I have decided to utilize my redshirt & enter the portal at the end of the season as a RS JR,” he wrote on X on Wednesday afternoon. “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.”
Allen — an NC State transfer — clarified in a follow-up post that his decision was not related to anything in regard to name, image and likeness (NIL).
“This is due to on-field opportunities. I did not receive a dime from any UNLV collective,” he wrote.
Allen, a junior, had 10 carries for 65 yards in the Rebels’ first game of the year, but his chances dwindled in each of the subequent two games, including just one carry for three yards in a win over Kansas last week.
The running back logged two years with NC State before coming to Las Vegas for what will likely amount to a short tenure.
Sluka, similar to Allen, transfered to UNLV this year after a prolific career at Holy Cross that was capped off him being named an FCS All-American third team member in 2023.
In his post Tuesday, Sluka intimated that he was leaving the program over NIL issues.
ESPN reported that Sluka had been verbally promised $100,000 by an assistant coach, but the signal-caller and his father claimed he never received the payment.
“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” he posted on X. “Despite discussions, it became clear that 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.”
UNLV, in a statement to the outlet, said the Long Island native and Kellenberg Memorial product had given the school “demands.”
“UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law,” UNLV said. “UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.
“UNLV has conducted its due diligence and will continue to operate its programs within the framework of NCAA rules and regulations, as well as Nevada state laws.”
