In a rare situation, Wisconsin Badgers standout freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas is transferring to the Miami Hurricanes without officially entering the transfer portal, as reported by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. Lucas had signed a two-year revenue-sharing agreement with the Badgers in December and indicated his desire to enter the transfer portal on December 19. However, while he completed the necessary paperwork, the Badgers did not officially submit his name, leading him to hire attorney Darren Heitner to address the matter.
Dellenger highlights that Lucas, who was a freshman last season, has withdrawn from classes at Wisconsin and has enrolled academically at Miami. By not formally signing with Miami, he may avoid any NCAA transfer regulations. He has enrolled for the Fall 2025 semester but is expected to change to Spring 2025.
This action has so far averted potential legal action. Heitner was prepared to sue both the NCAA and Wisconsin over antitrust issues, alleging that Wisconsin violated NCAA rules by not entering Lucas into the portal as he requested and questioning the legality of the NCAA’s transfer portal itself.
Wisconsin officials have not commented on the situation, but the school is refusing to enter Lucas into the portal because of the two-year revenue-sharing agreement he signed before seeking to transfer. This agreement, a standard form issued by the Big Ten, commits Lucas — along with any player who signs it — to the university and grants the school non-exclusive rights to use and promote his name, image, and likeness. It prohibits the student’s rights from being utilized by other institutions, although he can still enter into external marketing contracts, according to sources familiar with the agreement.
Lucas chose to move to Miami after his father experienced a “serious, life-threatening illness,” his attorney said. In a moment of urgency, Lucas and his family reached out to head coach Luke Fickell last week, who had hoped to persuade him to stay at Wisconsin.
While the situation remains unresolved, an NCAA spokesperson indicated that the rules do not hinder Lucas from leaving one institution, enrolling in another, and competing right away.
It looks like Lucas is set on joining the Miami Hurricanes, and we will have to see what unfolds next.
