Kirby Smart's Blunt Response About Matthew Sluka NIL Controversy

The biggest story in college football is currently centered around the UNLV Rebels, and it's not because they started 3-0 for the first time in 40 years.

Instead, it is because their star quarterback, Matthew Sluka, is utilizing his redshirt and leaving the team over an NIL dispute. A report by ESPN's Pete Thamel revealed that Sluka was "verbally promised" $100,000 by a coach to transfer to UNLV. An amount that he never received, as instead the only amount he received was $3,000 for relocation.

When asked about the situation on the SEC coaches teleconference, Georgia's Kirby Smart had a bleak message about the situation. The two-time national championship-winning head coach expressed that this won't be the last time a player leaves a team mid-season for NIL.

“I can tell you that I don’t think it’ll be the last," Smart said . "The way we’re moving into this abyss of unknown, and I’m talking about fiscal responsibility, financial commitments, financial promises, people sometimes make promises, and I know I’ve come across it in our recruiting that they can’t keep and there’s no — sometimes there’s no rebuttal for the athlete.

“Sometimes there’s no rebuttal for the athletic department or the collective or whoever’s involved. And it’s sad that there’s not just a better, a way to police it better. Because it’s unfortunate and when — I’m not suggesting UNLV made promises they can’t keep. I’m not saying that. I don’t know that situation. I want to be clear on that.”

Clearly, Smart is referring to the fact that the NCAA hasn't done enough to govern the NIL space, and until they do, everyone in the sport is expecting there to be a never-ending cycle of chaos.

As for what is next for Sluka, according to a report by On3, he will be transferring to a new program for the 2025 season. Something that his agent thinks could pay off for Sluka's career in the long run.

“He gets the opportunity to enroll at a program in January,” Cromartie told On3. “Work with them (new team) all spring, working with the receivers all spring, all summer, and just set him up better. NFL wise as well, and also getting a situation where clarity and transparency is key.”

In three games at UNLV, Sluka threw for 318 yards and six touchdowns to just one interception, while also rushing for a team-leading 253 yards and one rushing touchdown.

Related: Multiple Conflicting Reports Emerge on UNLV QB's Decision to Sit out Remainder of Season