Carter Bahns of CBS Sports named Miami cornerback Xavier Lucas as one of his "College Football Playoff X-factors: Players poised to make or break contenders' 2025 postseason chances." Lucas transferred to Miami in the winter portal window and could become the top CB for the Hurricanes in 2025.
Mario Cristobal made the secondary a point of emphasis during the transfer portal. In addition to Lucas, Miami added Charles Brantley and Ethan O'Connor during the winter transfer portal and Kalonte Scott this spring at CB. Zechariah Poyser transferred to Miami in the winter portal and Jakobe Thomas in the spring at safety.
Cornerback O.J. Frederique is the only returning defensive back for Miami projected to start in the secondary in 2025. Frederique and Lucas are projected to start for Miami at CB, Brantley as the nickel and Poyser and Thomas at safety for Miami in 2025.
In addition to the two pass breakups and one interception in 2024 with Wisconsin, Lucas had 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. playing 203 defensive snaps. Per David Lake of Inside the U, Pro Football Focus gave Lucas "an 80.5 coverage grade, a 76.8 tackling grade, and a 71.0 run defense grade for his efforts in 2024."
"Xavier Lucas, CBCarter Bahns, CBS Sports
Xavier Lucas was the top-ranked corner in the portal and serves as the face of this new-look (secondary) unit, which looks deeper and more talented than the one that struggled last fall. Much of the excitement around Lucas is still rooted in projection considering he has just one year of experience under his belt and posted one interception and two pass breakups at Wisconsin, so a lot hinges on him taking the expected sophomore leap."
Lake also stated, "According to PFF, Lucas missed just one tackle in 2024. Lucas was targeted 19 times in coverage and allowed nine receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown." At 6'2 and 198 pounds, Lucas provides Miami with excellent length at CB in 2025.
Miami was wildly inconsistent defending the pass in 2024. The Hurricanes allowed a combined 313 passing yards versus Florida State, Georgia tech and Wake Forest. Four opponents threw for over 300 yards versus Miami in 2024. Led by Lucas, Miami should have a significantly better secondary in 2025.
The Miami secondary will be tested throughout the 2025 season. Florida with D.J. Lagway and SMU with Kevin Jennings return two of the best QBs nationally in 2024. Louisville added Miller Moss from USC, who should elevate his performance under Jeff Brohm. Miami needs consistency from its secondary in 2025.