Has the drama surrounding Miami Hurricanes cornerback target Xavier Lucas finally come to an end or is it just getting started? Last month, the former 4-star Wisconsin signee announced that he was planning to enter the portal and several recruiting analysts quickly predicted him to land with Miami.
However, Wisconsin didn't submit his paperwork, leading to Lucas hiring legal representation to try and get himself in the portal. On Friday evening, Lucas' lawyer announced his client was free. Then, reporter Ross Dellenger dropped the breaking news that the stud defensive back will be Miami-bound. Wait, what in the world?
NEW: In a precedent-setting move that may spark landmark legal action among schools, Wisconsin DB Xavier Lucas, who signed a rev-share deal w/UW, is transferring to Miami, his attorney @DarrenHeitner tells @YahooSports.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 17, 2025
UW refused to enter him in portal https://t.co/SJg2MVpN4r
Former Wisconsin CB Xavier Lucas has reportedly committed to Miami
According to Dellenger, Lucas signed a two-year contract with Wisconsin, 'granting school his NIL rights while prohibiting other schools from those rights.' That's what has been the main holdup here with him trying to transfer, as he signed this new deal before returning home to Florida for the Christmas holidays.
He then tried to get out of this deal to transfer, but Luke Fickell and his coaching staff blocked things. Because of this, Lucas indeed ended up hiring attorney Darren Heitner, who hasn't held back in calling out Wisconsin on social media throughout this process.
Heitner even went as far as to say that the Badgers were holding Lucas hostage over this transfer dispute. Lucas just wrapped up his freshman campaign in Madison and he was widely considered one of the top young pieces of defensive talent for the Big Ten side moving forward.
However, Cristobal, who has already added plenty of DB help via the portal, has been able to get his commitment after all. Before Lucas signed with Wisconsin out of high school, Miami tried to flip him and got him on campus for a late official visit. Lucas stood firm with his Wisconsin verbal, but now it's looking like he's going to be closing out his college career in his home state.
The question begs, though, will the Badgers try and take legal action here? Per Dellenger, Lucas has already withdrawn from Wisconsin and is enrolled at Miami as a student. There are obviously more questions that need to be answered in the coming weeks, but for now, the standout cornerback is all set to make plays for Cristobal and new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman in 2025.