Football in MiamiI continue to add depth to his roster for the upcoming 2025 season.
But technically it didn’t come through the transfer portal.
According to a report from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, ancient Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas enrolled academically in Miami after the Badgers refused to enter the 6-foot-2 defensive back into the transfer portal. He has not officially signed with the Hurricanesas he unenrolled from Wisconsin and enrolled in Miami for classes.
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Lucas entered the transfer portal in early December after the conclusion of his first season with the Badgers. He finished with 11 total tackles (one for a loss), three pass breakups, one interception and half a sack in 11 games this season.
The former four-star recruit’s best game this season came Nov. 23 on the road at Nebraska, where he finished with a career-high seven tackles against the Corn hullers. Lucas was ranked as the No. 35 safety and No. 52 safety in Florida in the 2023 recruiting class. according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
“Thank you Wisconsin for everything!”, Lucas written the (formerly Twitter) on December 7. “I’m officially in the transfer portal.”
However, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell and Co. reportedly did not approve Lucas’ candidacy during the first of two NCAA windows — and still have not, as first mentioned on by Lucas on December 27. Because of this, Lucas was unable to communicate with any program or coach – which would have been a violation of the NCAA transfer portal’s recruiting policies.
“I still intend to transfer, but at this time Wisconsin refuses to let me enter the transfer portal. I have met all NCAA requirements regarding the transfer portal process,” wrote Lucas on X on December 27. being put in the transfer portal by Wisconsin, hampering my ability to speak with schools. »
I still plan to transfer, but right now Wisconsin is refusing to let me enter the transfer portal. I have completed all NCAA requirements regarding the transfer portal process. I have not been put in the Wisconsin transfer portal yet, which is hindering my ability to talk with schools.
-Xavier Lucas (@XavierL_25) December 27, 2024
Citing Lucas’ attorney, Darren Heitner, Dellenger reported that Lucas began the process of transferring from Wisconsin after learning while he was home on vacation that his father was suffering from a “serious and life-threatening illness “. Lucas’ exit from the Badgers program comes after the cornerback signed a two-year revenue-sharing agreement last month before requesting a transfer.
“The agreement, a model form issued by Big Ten, binds Lucas – and all players who sign – to that specific school and grants that school a player’s non-exclusive rights to use and market his name, his image and likeness,” Dellenger reported. “The agreement prohibits the player’s rights from being used by any other school while allowing him to sign outside marketing deals, according to those familiar with the model.”
It remains unclear whether Lucas and/or Miami will face any repercussions for breaking this agreement, according to Dellenger.
According to Dellenger, Lucas and his family, “in an act of desperation,” contacted Fickell last week for an explanation and to reconsider the decision to approve his portal transfer request. Instead, Fickell allegedly tried to persuade Lucas to stay in Madison with the Badgers.
“NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from deregistering from one institution, enrolling at a new institution and immediately competing,” an NCAA spokesperson told Yahoo Sports in a press release.
This article was originally published on the Palm Beach Post: Report: Xavier Lucas enrolls in Miami without entering transfer portal
