UNLV’s Jackson Woodard shades ex-teammate Matthew Sluka after transfer decision

UNLV football players appear to have already moved on from quarterback Matthew Sluka. 

Rebels linebacker Jackson Woodard seemingly threw some shade at Sluka, who quit the team after an NIL dispute between the player and school after backup signal-caller Hajj-Malik Williams was named as his replacement.

“Bout time! Let’s ride!” Woodard wrote on X. 

Woodard’s social media commentary came on the same day UNLV head coach Barry Odom painted Sluka’s move as a money grab. 

“Thought he had a market value higher than he was making here,” Odom told CBS.

Sluka and the university have exchanged accusations after the quarterback announced he was sitting out the rest of the season.  

“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on social media. “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.”

Sluka’s camp told ESPN that he did not receive any of the $100,000 he negotiated to transfer from Holy Cross, only receiving a $3,000 moving stipend. 

UNLV argued that it honored its “previously agreed-upon scholarships.”

“Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing,” the school’s athletic department said in a statement on Wednesday. “UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law. 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.”

Sluka, who is using the rest of his senior season as a redshirt year, will now have the chance to sign with another program and retain his eligibility.