Wisconsin DB's unprecedented move could rock NCAA, NIL landscape

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th January, 24:12 2025

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is escorted by a member of the training staff during the fourth quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

The landscape of college athletics may be on the verge of another major shift, and it all stems from the move of one player.

Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas enrolled at Miami earlier this week but did so without ever entering the transfer portal -- and despite having recently signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Wisconsin.

Lucas announced he was entering the transfer portal in a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 19. But Wisconsin refused to put his name in the portal despite an NCAA rule requiring schools to enter a player into the portal within two business days of their request.

Adding to the situation, the true freshman and Wisconsin entered into a two-year revenue-sharing agreement during the season. That deal gave the university non-exclusive rights to player's name, image and likeness -- preventing another school from using the player's NIL rights for the length of the agreement, according to Yahoo Sports.

Unable to talk to other schools because he was not in the portal, Lucas withdrew from classes at Wisconsin and enrolled as a student at Miami, but without formally signing with the Hurricanes.

Darren Heitner, an attorney representing Lucas, told Yahoo that his client requested a transfer after learning his father is suffering from a "serious, life-threatening illness," But, according to Heitner, Wisconsin refused to comply with Lucas' request and instead tried to convince him to remain with Wisconsin.

Lucas is from Pompano Beach, Fla., and played at nearby American Heritage High School.

By not signing with Miami, Lucas seems to have avoided violating any NCAA rules for now.

"NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately," an NCAA spokesperson told Yahoo! in response to Lucas' decision.

But if Lucas intends on playing for the Hurricanes, it is expected that Wisconsin will try to block the move in court.

What's more, a settlement reached in 2024 establishing many of the rules for revenue sharing has yet to be approved. Lucas' move could impact those proceedings, as well.

Lucas made 12 tackles and had one interception in 11 games with the Badgers this season.

--Field Level Media