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CFB

    UNLV's Jackson Woodard: 'Bout Time' Hajj-Malik Williams Started at QB over Matt Sluka

    Doric SamSeptember 25, 2024

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 07: Hajj-Malik Williams #6 of the UNLV Rebels gestures to the crowd during the first quarter of a game against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at Allegiant Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
    Louis Grasse/Getty Images

    After UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced he will not play for the remainder of the 2024 season, at least one Rebels player is hyped to see Hajj-Malik Williams take his place.

    UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard expressed his excitement over the news with a simple tweet:

    Jackson Woodard @jackson_wood23

    Bout time! Let's ride! <a href="https://t.co/S8CIpVXsO9">https://t.co/S8CIpVXsO9</a>

    Williams is a sixth-year senior transfer from FCS Campbell. While he hasn't thrown a pass this season, he's shown off his mobility with 88 rushing yards on 10 carries for the Rebels.

    Sluka, who was in his first year at UNLV after transferring from FCS Holy Cross, announced that he intends to redshirt this year to maintain his fifth year of eligibility for the 2025 season and indicated he wasn't happy with his current situation.

    "I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled," he stated. "Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future."

    Matthew Sluka @MatthewSluka

    <a href="https://t.co/oK5BDRpoxK">pic.twitter.com/oK5BDRpoxK</a>

    Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Sluka's NIL agent Marcus Cromartie said the quarterback was "verbally promised a minimum of $100,000" by an assistant coach if he transferred to UNLV, but none of that money was paid to him.

    UNLV's Jackson Woodard: 'Bout Time' Hajj-Malik Williams Started at QB over Matt Sluka
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    Pete Thamel @PeteThamel

    Once Sluka enrolled there, there was no effort by the UNLV's collective to formalize a contract at that amount. Months after Sluka enrolled and Cormartie made multiple efforts with the staff and school to address the issue.

    However, Ross Dellinger of Yahoo Sports reported that Rob Sine, the CEO of the Blueprint Sports company that runs UNLV's NIL collective, said there was never an agreement for a $100,000 contract with Sluka.

    Blueprint Sports released a statement saying "no formal NIL offers" were made to Sluka during the recruitment process. UNLV also released a statement saying the school "honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships" for the signal-caller.

    Pat Forde @ByPatForde

    Statements incoming on SlukaGate. From Blueprint Sports, which handles UNLV collective deals: <a href="https://t.co/X35jts7sbm">pic.twitter.com/X35jts7sbm</a>

    Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenberg

    UNLV statement on Matthew Sluka's departure and allegations. <a href="https://t.co/wnNVmtQcIr">pic.twitter.com/wnNVmtQcIr</a>

    Sluka recorded 318 yards, six touchdowns and an interception while completing just 43.8 percent of his passes. He also led UNLV with 39 carries for 253 yards while adding a rushing score.

    The Rebels are off to a 3-0 start and received 53 votes in the most recent AP Top 25. The team will try to keep the momentum going with Williams under center when it returns to action on Saturday against Fresno State.