Defensive back Xavier Lucas who was strongly recruited by Miami in the 2024 class entered the transfer portal from Wisconsin on Thursday. On3 and 247Sports have already logged projections that Lucas will transfer to Miami. Evan Flood of Badger247 logged a crystal ball on Thursday that Lucas will transfer to Miami.
Lucas does not yet have a ranking in the transfer portal from either 247Sports or On3. In the 2024 class, Lucas was the 372nd-ranked prospect, 35th safety and 52nd player in Florida out of American Heritage. Lucas had 18 tackles, 0.5 sacks. 1.0 interception and 2.0 pass breakups as a freshman at Wisconsin in 2024.
At 6'2 and 198 pounds with three seasons of eligibility remaining, Lucas will be one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the transfer portal. Wisconsin lists Lucas as a CB and he was ranked as a safety as a high school prospect. Miami needs help throughout the secondary on its 2025 roster.
Pro Football Focus via Mark Stewart of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Lucas led Wisconsin freshmen with 200 snaps in 2024. Miami signed an excellent 2025 class in the secondary, but it is difficult to project who will be ready to contribute as freshmen in 2025.
Thank you Wisconsin for everything! I’m officially in the transfer portal.
— Xavier Lucas (@XavierL_25) December 19, 2024
Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser committed to Miami as a transfer on Tuesday. Poyser is the 68th overall prospect and second safety in the 247Sports transfer rankings. Adding Lucas to Poyser to the 2025 roster would likely net Miami two starters in the secondary on the 2025 roster.
Lucas transferring to Miami would be the latest South Florida native to return home in the secondary. Among the recent Miami defensive backs who returned to South Florida are Tyrique Stevenson who is now with the Chicago Bears and senior Darryl Porter Jr. who is also an American Heritage alum.