Wisconsin DB Xavier Lucas claims Wisconsin will not allow him to enter transfer portal, speak to other schools

On Dec. 19, it was reported that Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas would enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, where he’s likely to be a coveted prospect. But there’s been a hangup, and one the defensive back went public about on Dec. 27.

Lucas took to social media on Friday afternoon and claimed that Wisconsin was not holding up it’s end of the bargain to allow him to formally enter the portal. This, Lucas said, is preventing him from communicating with potential suitors.

“I still intend to transfer, but at the moment Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal,” Lucas said. “I’ve met all NCAA requirements of the transfer portal process. I’ve yet to be put into the transfer portal by Wisconsin which is impeding my ability to speak with schools.”

Lucas will likely be a coveted prospect on the transfer market, as he was a former four-star high school prospect and has multiple years of eligibility remaining. He played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2024, and in those 11 games he had 18 total tackles, half a sack and one interception.

Lucas was a prized recruit in the 2024 cycle, as Miami tried to flip him late from the Badgers. A four-star prospect playing at American Heritage (Fl.) High School in South Florida. He was the No. 331 prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

A former Badgers QB committed to Arizona

Wisconsin Badgers transfer quarterback Braedyn Locke is taking his talents to Arizona, joining the Wildcats via the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. Locke began his college career with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Locke was thrust into the starting role in both 2023 and 2024, as the quarterbacks Wisconsin had started both got injured. He played in 16 games in two seasons with the Badgers. All told, he passed for 2,713 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over two seasons in Madison.

Locke played high school football at Rockwall (TX), where he was a three-star prospect in the 2024 cycle. That was according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

How often Locke plays in 2025 remains to be seen. Veteran quarterback Noah Fifita is returning to the Wildcats next season, choosing to try and rejuvenate his draft stock and make up for a disappointing season in 2024 next year, which leaves Locke’s short-term prospects a little murky, but he could be the starter in waiting, if you will, ready for whenever Fifita moves on from Tucson.