Matthew Sulka and UNLV are one of the names to watch early in the 2024 college football season. The school is off to a strong start, 3-0, and in the running for an automatic berth in Group 5 of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, Sulka, who transferred to UNLV after a stellar career at Holy Cross, has passed for 318 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing for 253 yards and one score.
UNLV last played on the road with a big win over Kansas on Sept. 13. Sulka scored a touchdown in UNLV's 23-20 win and ran 19 times for a team-high 124 yards.
But it appears this will be his final game in a UNLV uniform.
Sulka announced on social media that he would use his redshirt year to sit out any further games this season and enter the transfer portal. In his announcement, Sulka cited “promises” he had that he hadn't kept.
“I have decided to take advantage of my redshirt year and will not play any additional games this season.” Sulka said. “I enrolled at UNLV based on certain promises, but after enrolling, those promises were not kept. Despite discussions, it has become clear that those promises will not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and wish the program continued success.”
His father and agent gave ESPN some more details, saying the quarterback was reportedly promised $100,000 when he signed but never got paid the money.
Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports, the NIL agent for former UNLV quarterback Matthew Sulka, told ESPN that he had been verbally promised a minimum of $100,000 by a UNLV assistant coach in exchange for transferring to the school. Cromartie said none of the money was paid.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 25, 2024
Bob Sulka, father of UNLV quarterback Matthew Sulka, told ESPN that his son's agent agreed to a non-negotiable contract with the school in February but has not received any payment despite requests and no adjustments were made to his original contract.
“I have no idea what on earth happened.”
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 25, 2024
UNLV released a statement Thursday alleging that Sulka's representatives had made “financial demands” to the university to allow Sulka to continue playing.
update: Sulka wasn't the only UNLV player to announce he would be entering the portal on Monday, as running back Michael Allen became the second player to enter the portal, saying he “didn't get” an opportunity.
After three games, I have decided to take advantage of my redshirt and enter the portal at the end of the season as a RS JR. I am grateful to UNLV and wish them nothing but success. Unfortunately, my expectations for the opportunity were not met, but I am excited to continue my football career. pic.twitter.com/B96hO1pxG5
— Michael Allen (@MichaelAllen8_) September 25, 2024
Allen had 108 yards on 19 carries for UNLV this season.
Sulka was a standout three-year quarterback at Holy Cross, where he was a two-time Walter Payton Award finalist and was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for 2023. During his time at Holy Cross, Sulka threw for 5,916 yards, 59 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions. He transferred to UNLV last offseason.
Sulka's announcement cited “specific representations,” likely suggesting his decision is related to issues surrounding NIL payments and commitments, an inevitable by-product of the NIL system in college sports.
With Sulka out, UNLV will likely turn to Hajji Malik Williams, who competed with Sulka for the starting spot this spring. Williams completed 14 of 22 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in UNLV's spring game.
Sulka, a fifth-year senior, can enter the transfer portal at any time.
