Lucas leaves Wisconsin for Miami without entering transfer portal
Defensive back Xavier Lucas is transferring from Wisconsin to Miami without actually entering the NCAA's transfer portal, his attorney, Darren Heitner, told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.
It's potentially a precedent-setting move - Lucas joined the Hurricanes after signing a two-year revenue-sharing contract with the Badgers. This is the first known public dispute between a player and a school related to a revenue-share deal.
"NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately," an NCAA spokesperson said Friday.
The move comes weeks after Lucas stated that Wisconsin refused to release him into the transfer portal Dec. 27. The freshman defender thanked the Badgers and declared his intentions to enter the portal Dec. 19.
I still intend to transfer, but at the moment Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal. I’ve met all NCAA requirements of the transfer portal process. I’ve yet to be put into the transfer portal by Wisconsin which is impeding my ability to speak with schools.
— Xavier Lucas (@XavierL_25) December 27, 2024
Lucas' previous revenue-sharing agreement granted Wisconsin non-exclusive rights to use and market his name, image, and likeness. It also prohibited Lucas' rights from being used by any other school but allowed him to sign outside marking agreements.
Heitner had planned to file a lawsuit against both the NCAA and Wisconsin over antitrust claims related to the situation, per Dellenger. The suit would accuse the school of blatantly violating NCAA rules by not inserting Lucas' name into the transfer portal as requested.
Schools are not allowed to communicate with players who are not officially in the portal.
Lucas has enrolled academically at Miami for the fall 2025 semester but is expected to reclassify to spring 2025. He will presumably avoid NCAA transfer rules for not formally signing with the Hurricanes.
The situation may set precedent in 2 ways:
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 17, 2025
- a school’s enforcement of settlement-contingent rev-share contracts.
- a player transferring at any time, even outside of the windows, if he/she withdraws.
Clear now more than ever, the portal is unenforceable.…
Lucas recorded 18 tackles, two pass breakups, one sack, and one interception in 2024.