A Sea Of Red

Jaylen Henderson
Texas A&M & Fresno State
X - @_Jmoney13_



Matt Sluka
Holy Cross & UNLV
X - @MatthewSluka



Ethan Vasko
Coastal Carolina & Kansas
X- @EthanVasko



Max Brown
Charlotte & Florida
X - @mmax_23

Henderson and Sluka would both fit the Chadwell offense very well, but both seem like longer shots. Vasko is intriguing and could have some high upside. He hails from my hometown. My mom worked at Oscar Smith for 15 years and I subbed there and coached the swim team for a few years myself.

I really don't want Sluka. He's mobile but not a very good passer and we would be replacing one locker room cancer with another. I don't believe a single UNLV player supported him when he decided to bail on their season and redshirt.

Yuck. Sluka can’t pass, Vasko was benched, and Brown is bad. Henderson is the only QB worth having.

Henderson seems to be the only one that brings upside to the room. We need depth, i get that.
Would prefer to build that with more Nate Hamptons. Guys that are solid people first.

Sluka & Henderson are both starters. Guessing Sluka as top target. Smart, tough as nails, and has a competitive drive that’s hard to match.

Stats Comparison:

Jaylen Henderson
2021 - Fresno State ....... 5-of-8 (62.5%) for 49 Yards with 0 TDs or INTs
2022 - Fresno State ....... No Stats
2023 - Texas A&M .......... 53-of-78 (67.9%) for 715 Yards with 6 TDs & 2 INTs
2024 - Texas A&M .......... No Stats

Started 4 games for the Aggies in 2023 including their bowl game. But he was injured on the first drive and relieved by arcel Reed who passed him on the depth chart pushing him to 3rd team in 2024. In his starting debut against Mississippi State, he threw for 2 TDs and running for 2 more in a blowout victory. His best game came against 14th-ranked LSU in Death Valley where he was 25-of-35 for 294 Yards with 2 TDs & 1 INT. He has a small sample size but has been impressive when on the field.


Matthew Sluka
2020 - Holy Cross .......... 20-of-35 (57.1%) for 187 Yards with 2 TDs & 1 INT + 44 Carries for 234 Yards & 4 Rushing TDs
2021 - Holy Cross .......... 117-of-208 (56.3%) for 1495 Yards with 11 TDs & 5 INTs + 166 Carries for 868 Yards & 14 Rushing TDs
2022 - Holy Cross .......... 153-of-256 (57.5%) for 2491 Yards with 26 TDs & 4 INTs + 203 Carries for 1234 Yards & 11 Rushing TDs
2023 - Holy Cross .......... 122-of-197 (61.9%) for 1723 Yards with 20 TDs & 5 INTs + 186 Carries for 1243 Yards & 9 Rushing TDs
2024 - UNLV .................. 21-of-48 (43.8%) for 316 Yards with 6 TDs & 1 INT + 39 Carries for 253 Yards & 1 Rushing TD

Yes, he quit his team early in the season after just 3 starts when he didn't get the NIL that the coaching staff promised him. Part of the reason why no one wanted to publicly support him is that they didn't want to risk getting not paid themselves.


Ethan Vasko
2022 - Kansas .................. 3-of-5 (60%) for 13 Yards + 2 Carries for 6 Yards
2023 - Coastal Carolina .... 76-of-122 (62.3%) for 779 Yards with 7 TDs & 1 INT + 63 Carries for 368 Yards & 2 Rushing TDs
2024 - Coastal Carolina .... 148-of-271 (54.6%) for 2110 Yards with 14 TDs & 8 INTs + 107 Carries for 447 Yard & 5 Rushing TDs

Nothing spectacular but he likely fits our offense.


Max Brown
2022 - Florida ................. Redshirt
2023 - Florida ................. 19-of-28 (67.9%) for 192 Yards with 0 TDs & 1 INT + 23 Carries for 37 Yards
2024 - Charlotte .............. 43-of-93 (46.2%) for 561 Yards with 3 TDs & 6 INTs + 33 Carries for 72 Yards

He started one game for the Gators in '23 against Florida State which accounts for most of his stats in Gainesville. He started 4 of 5 games this season for Charlotte. He injured his thumb against North Carolina and has not returned since.

Looking at those stats… Sluka’s first for me followed by Henderson. Vasko is a distant 3rd and I don’t know why we want the Charlotte kid.

Some of the takes you guys have like, “Sluka’s not a good passer” or “he’s toxic” seem a little weak to me. The kid was a 3yr starter at Holy Cross and his stats improved each year.

Humble_Opinion wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 7:02 am Looking at those stats… Sluka’s first for me followed by Henderson. Vasko is a distant 3rd and I don’t know why we want the Charlotte kid.

Some of the takes you guys have like, “Sluka’s not a good passer” or “he’s toxic” seem a little weak to me. The kid was a 3yr starter at Holy Cross and his stats improved each year.

We get frustrated at Salters accuracy when he completes 56% of his passes. We can do better than someone that can't even complete 45% while his backup comes in and completes over 60% in the same offense. Showing progress in a weak FCS conference doesn't mean he's what we're looking for.

Ill flame wrote: We get frustrated at Salters accuracy when he completes 56% of his passes. We can do better than someone that can't even complete 45% while his backup comes in and completes over 60% in the same offense. Showing progress in a weak FCS conference doesn't mean he's what we're looking for.

A few things:
1) There are a lot of things we got frustrated with Salter about besides his inconsistency. His temper and lack of leadership were higher on the list I'd say.
2) Sluka beat out his backup for a reason and he won the first 3 games. He was a winner at Holy Cross too. Were they FCS? Sure, but citing his passing % after 3 games is incomplete. His TD/INT ratio is 5:1 or better in the past three years and he is a clear threat on the ground with his feet, which is a requirement for the triple option to work.

I don't discount what you're saying. Given the options though, there isn't much better out there and Sluka would be a value add given his success.

I am at a disadvantage to provide an unbiased perspective as i watched Henderson in action in his games at A&M. So his performance against LSU does color my analysis. But athletically he fits the profile of what works in a Chadwell offense. The fact that Marcel Reed beat him out in practice than on the field does dampen my enthusiasm. Perhaps it is just that Reed is a gamer. But the idea of potentially two seasons of him running this offense is intriguing.

Sluka is what he is. He's a beast running the ball with mediocre passing skills. That's not likely to change on the mountain. But I like the idea of him hypothetically working this option-drive offense.

Vasko & Brown would likely be stopgaps and insurance policies for the guys who will be in the QB room this fall. Honestly learning about Bradford's injury instills some confidence in me and explains why we weren't seeing him on the field. And we have a rather well-regarded freshman coming in who could make this whole discussion moot.

I'm for Henderson if you can get him.

I don't like a guy who quit on his teammates 3 games into the season over $$$ and he's not a great passer

The other 2 don't bring much to the table either

If Henderson is a no go, you ride with Bradford and Houck, both highly rated out of high school. If Burger is starting next year it means Bradford is a bust (unless his injury lingers after surgery or recovery doesn't go as planned)

Tnobes wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 1:23 pm

….a guy who quit…

That would be valid, if it were true. Coaching staff obviously doesn’t share your view. They’re in position to understand the situation more accurately.

paradox wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 1:50 pm

Tnobes wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 1:23 pm

….a guy who quit…

That would be valid, if it were true. Coaching staff obviously doesn’t share your view. They’re in position to understand the situation more accurately.

So the UNLV QB didn't quit after 3 games? Weird. ESPN said he did

Again, coaching staff doesn’t share your view.

Tnobes wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 4:01 pm

paradox wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 1:50 pm

Tnobes wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 1:23 pm

….a guy who quit…

That would be valid, if it were true. Coaching staff obviously doesn’t share your view. They’re in position to understand the situation more accurately.

So the UNLV QB didn't quit after 3 games? Weird. ESPN said he did

Giving the guy a pass. School lied to him - I'll give you $100K and then pulled it... If he played another game - he burns his last year in school.... I like his fight... He looks like a guy that would not let his team lose - I didn't see that from Salters this year.

If I’m promised 100k to play ball and it doesn’t happen I’m quitting too and going somewhere else.

If I didn’t get a pay check for a couple weeks I’d quit my job too.

It’s not your grandpas college football anymore. We have to acknowledge money is part of it whether we like it or not.

Kricket wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 7:54 pm If I’m promised 100k to play ball and it doesn’t happen I’m quitting too and going somewhere else.

If I didn’t get a pay check for a couple weeks I’d quit my job too.

It’s not your grandpas college football anymore. We have to acknowledge money is part of it whether we like it or not.

I wouldn't, I've never worked because of money, money has always been irrelevant to my family and no motivation for anything, money has never stopped me from doing anything or going anywhere

Not everyone has the same background and upbringing.

I would expect we have an answer here in the next 48-72 hours

jcmanson wrote: ↑December 19th, 2024, 7:29 am I would expect we have an answer here in the next 48-72 hours

What was the question?

Kricket wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 7:54 pm If I’m promised 100k to play ball and it doesn’t happen I’m quitting too and going somewhere else.

If I didn’t get a pay check for a couple weeks I’d quit my job too.

It’s not your grandpas college football anymore. We have to acknowledge money is part of it whether we like it or not.

That’s a good point. I was under the impression he wanted MORE money after signing. But if I’m promised X number of dollars and they don’t come then I’m looking elsewhere. If I took a job that said my salary was X but instead was with less or never materialized I’d be gone. Especially since I probably turned down other offers

Tnobes wrote: ↑December 19th, 2024, 12:58 am

Kricket wrote: ↑December 18th, 2024, 7:54 pm If I’m promised 100k to play ball and it doesn’t happen I’m quitting too and going somewhere else.

If I didn’t get a pay check for a couple weeks I’d quit my job too.

It’s not your grandpas college football anymore. We have to acknowledge money is part of it whether we like it or not.

I wouldn't, I've never worked because of money, money has always been irrelevant to my family and no motivation for anything, money has never stopped me from doing anything or going anywhere

I think that’s fine (although you may have to share your secret of not needing money at all, lol). What I would suggest is you try to imagine living someone else’s life. There are many many reasons someone might need money for very valid and ok reasons and I think you could come to those conclusions if you try.

What I haven't heard discussed much regarding the Sluka situation is that the $100,000 "offer" apparently came from an assistant coach. That sounds like a decision that would normally be above his pay grade in a G5 program, and an argument could be made that the school was not obligated to pay it.