Xavier Lucas and the Wisconsin Badgers football team are struggling to separate from each other, and the situation is escalating.
The freshman cornerback announced in early December on X that he would enter the transfer portal following a relatively successful individual season with the Badgers. However, his efforts to connect with other teams have stalled, and he and his attorney are holding the school accountable for this delay. Noted sports attorney Darren Heitner mentioned they are advancing their case against the Badgers by engaging with the NCAA regarding their client’s situation.
Heitner stated they are prepared to pursue legal action if necessary.
He wrote on X:
“This morning, Xavier Lucas retained @HEITNERLEGAL. I have reached out to the NCAA, demanding they enforce their rules requiring Mr. Lucas’ name to be entered into the transfer database. If Wisconsin does not comply, we will escalate this matter to the courts.”
Heitner believes that the Badgers are obligated to allow Xavier Lucas to transfer. In an interview with NIL Daily, he asserted that the Badgers have no justification for blocking Lucas, as he fulfilled all requirements necessary to enter the transfer portal. The university had only two days to process his transfer application but failed to do so. Lucas announced his intention to leave on December 21 and revealed by December 28 that Wisconsin had still not entered him into the portal.
“Wisconsin has, so far, denied Xavier entry into the transfer portal despite being a voluntary member of the NCAA, which mandates compliance with its rules. A federal judge has previously determined that it is illegal to restrict athletes by limiting their choices for finding a Division I institution that best meets their academic, mental, and economic needs.”
At present, Lucas, who is among several Badgers looking to leave after a disappointing 2024 season, is unable to communicate with other schools. This situation restricts his opportunities and may lead other interested teams to pursue different players instead.
