Has UNLV Found an Upgrade at Quarterback with Hajj-Malik Williams?

By Ty Scheiner

There aren’t many teams that can say they improved after losing their starting quarterback and having to rely on their backup—yes, I know, a team down in the Lone Star State can say this, but other than that, there aren’t many. Initially, the starting QB job at UNLV entering the 2024 season was a bit of a mystery until August 31st, when Head Coach Barry Odom announced that Holy Cross transfer Matt Sluka had beaten out Hajj-Malik Williams , a sixth-year player and a transfer from FCS Campbell.

Although the Rebels were 3-0 with Sluka under center, their offense wasn’t exactly balanced, even though they were winning. Sluka is a very solid runner, but he left something to be desired from a passing standpoint, completing only 43.8% of his passes for only 106 yards per game. Additionally, he wasn’t getting their best weapon, Ricky White , involved at all—which was concerning if this team was going to compete for the Mountain West and possibly the G5 Playoff spot. Given the NIL drama last week that led to Sluka leaving the team , Williams took over.

Aside from the on-field performance, it’s been clear since the change was made that internally, players were looking for Williams to be the starting QB. Ricky White was clearly happy to have a better passing QB, as evidenced by his tweet, where he pretty much referenced that the supposed $100K Sluka was offered would be better utilized to pay the offensive line.

In his first start this past weekend against Fresno State, Williams showed not only that there wouldn’t be a drop-off, but actually put up better numbers than Sluka and led a more balanced offensive attack. Williams finished 13 for 16 with 182 yards through the air, 3 TDs, and added 119 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown. Perhaps more importantly, Ricky White finally had his breakout game of the season, with 127 receiving yards on 10 catches and finding the end zone twice.

Excluding their game against Utah Tech, this was the most points the team had put up this season against an FBS team (57), the most total offensive yards in a game this season (450), the most first downs (25), and the highest yards per pass (11.6). I know it’s a small sample size, but the offense just looked different, and the players seemed to be playing with a new sense of confidence now that they seem to be playing for a QB both sides of the ball can get behind. Linebacker Jackson Woodard was also happy to see Williams get the nod.

For a team with high aspirations in the Mountain West and G5 Playoff hopes, this might have been the catalyst that Barry Odom and the team needed to really start playing consistently, together, and at their best heading into conference play. There is still a lot of football left to be played, but the Rebels are looking like a dangerous team with their backup QB leading the way.