Wisconsin, Big Ten release statements calling out Miami regarding Xavier Lucas transfer

The University of Wisconsin on Saturday night released a lengthy statement regarding cornerback Xavier Lucas’ transfer to the University of Miami, saying a “binding two-year NIL agreement” was violated and that the school has “credible information indicating impermissible contact” between Lucas and UM football personnel prior to Lucas’ request to enter the transfer portal — a request the school had denied.

Lucas’ attorney, Darren Heitner, told Yahoo Sports on Friday that Lucas left Wisconsin for Miami despite not formally entering the transfer portal. Lucas, a former standout at Plantation American Heritage who just finished his freshman season and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining, has withdrawn from classes at Wisconsin and enrolled academically at Miami, per the report.

The NCAA said in a statement to Yahoo that its rules “do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately.”

But Wisconsin in its statement claims UM had “impermissible contact” with Lucas leading up to his request to enter the transfer portal.

“Direct interference with another institution’s committed player and contractual interests is prohibited by NCAA tampering rules and the law,” the Wisconsin statement said, which also added that the school will “evaluate all options going forward to determine the appropriate course of action.”

Lucas on Dec. 19 had originally announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, which Heitner told Yahoo was because his father was dealing with a “serious, life-threatening illness.”

More than a week passed, and Lucas’ name wasn’t entered into the portal. The NCAA mandates that a school has to enter a player’s name into the transfer portal withing 48 hours of the player filling out the paperwork.

“At the moment, Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal,” Lucas wrote on social media on Dec. 27, eight days after his initial announcement about transferring. “I’ve met all NCAA requirements of the transfer portal by Wisconsin which is impeding my ability to speak with schools.”

However, Wisconsin said in its statement that Lucas entered a two-year name, image and likeness agreement on Dec. 2 — 17 days before announcing he planned to enter the transfer portal — that the school says “remains in effect and enforceable” and that a request to enter the transfer portal after signing the agreement “is inconsistent with the representations and mutual understanding of the agreement.”

The Big Ten in a statement said that it “stands in full support of the University of Wisconsin regarding the contractual agreement between student-athlete Xavier Lucas and the Wisconsin football program.”

“As student-athletes become active participants in revenue sharing, it is critical that agreed-to obligations be respected, honored, and enforced,” the conference’s statement continued. “In light of current laws and association rules, information suggesting tampering and contract interference in this case by the University of Miami is very troubling. These actions undermine the efforts of its own conference as the ACC continues its collaboration with the other A4 conferences in developing a sustainable framework for college sports. This situation is just the latest example of the critical need for substantive governance reform.”

UM did not return a request for comment.

Lucas played in 11 games (one start) for Wisconsin in 2024, recording 18 tackles, one interception and three defended passes. Lucas was a Miami Herald first-team All-County football selection as a senior at American Heritage and was also a standout sprinter and long jumper on the Patriots’ track and field team.

He is the fourth cornerback the Hurricanes are adding via transfer this cycle, joining Michigan State’s Charles Brantley, Arizona’s Emmanuel Karnley and Washington State’s Ethan O’Connor. Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser rounds out the Hurricanes’ transfer additions in the secondary.

Lucas, Karnley, O’Connor and Poyser all have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Brantley has one season left.

Wisconsin’s full statement is below:

“We are disappointed that Xavier Lucas has chosen to withdraw from the University of Wisconsin. He has been a valued member of our football program and we were looking forward to helping him continue to grow as a student, a person, and a football player.

“On December 2, 2024, Xavier and Wisconsin Athletics entered into a binding two-year NIL agreement reflecting his strong commitment to continuing with the Wisconsin football program. We understand that he also executed a separate agreement with the Varsity Collective. His agreement with Wisconsin Athletics included substantial financial compensation for Xavier. Under the terms of the agreement between Xavier and Wisconsin Athletics, it remains in effect and enforceable.

“Badger student-athletes who have signed these agreements expect Wisconsin Athletics to honor the terms. In turn, Wisconsin Athletics relies on the student-athlete representations in entering into such an agreement is inconsistent with the representations and mutual understanding of the agreement and explains the reason for not processing a transfer portal request under these circumstances.

“Under the transfer provision used by Xavier this past week, any contact between a student-athlete enrolled at one institution and the football program to which they are transferring is prohibited per NCAA rules. We have credible information indicating impermissible contact between Xavier and University of Miami football personnel prior to Xavier’s request to enter the transfer portal. Direct interference with another institution’s committed player and contractual interests is prohibited by NCAA tampering rules and the law.

“This is another significant moment in the evolution of college athletics. As we move toward a future state that will rely on direct contracting with student athletes, enforcing the parties’ adherence to contract obligations and addressing improper interference by other institutions must be a priority. The system cannot work without an operational model that both establishes and enforces agreed upon rules and regulations, and contractual terms that are binding on both institutions and student athletes.

“We continue to review facts as they unfold in this matter and will evaluate all options going forward to determine the appropriate course of action.”