Wisconsin football accuses Miami of 'impermissible contact' with Xavier Lucas
After weeks of silence on the Xavier Lucas transfer controversy, the Wisconsin Badgers football program has officially addressed the situation.
Wisconsin football has issued a detailed statement addressing the transfer of defensive back Xavier Lucas to Miami, marking the program’s first public comments on the controversial situation.
Lucas signed a binding two-year NIL agreement with Wisconsin Athletics in December and departed for Miami without the Badgers entering his name into the transfer portal. The 6-foot-2 cornerback did so by withdrawing from school and enrolling at Miami—a move Wisconsin alleges involved tampering by the Hurricanes football program.
During his freshman campaign in 2024, Lucas appeared in 11 games, recording 18 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception in his debut against Western Michigan. According to Pro Football Focus, Lucas earned an 81.3 overall defensive grade—the highest among Wisconsin defenders.
His 80.6 pass coverage grade also led all Badgers defensive backs and ranked sixth among Big Ten cornerbacks.
“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,” the statement begins.
The Big Ten Conference has since issued its own statement in full support of Wisconsin.
“The Big Ten Conference 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. 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.”
The Badgers detailed that Lucas’ NIL agreement with Wisconsin Athletics included “substantial financial compensation” and was signed alongside a separate deal with the Varsity Collective. Wisconsin also emphasized that requests to enter the portal after signing such agreements contradict the understanding and terms of these contracts.
"Badger student-athletes who have signed these agreements expect Wisconsin Athletics to honor the terms," the statement continued.
"In turn, Wisconsin Athletics relies on the student-athlete representations in signing these agreements that they will do the same."
Wisconsin also alleged “credible information indicating impermissible contact between Xavier and University of Miami football program personnel prior to Xavier’s request to enter the transfer portal,” citing a potential NCAA tampering violation.
“This is another significant moment in the evolution of college athletics,” the statement reads. "As we move toward a future state that will rely on direct contracting with student-athletes, enforcing the parties’ adherence to contractual obligations and addressing improper interference by other institutions must be a priority.
"The system cannot work without an operational model that establishes and enforces agreed upon rules."
Wisconsin concluded by saying it will continue reviewing facts as they unfold in this matter and evaluate all options moving forward, leaving the door open for potential legal action.
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