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Xavier Lucas withdraws from Wisconsin, enrolls at Miami without entering transfer portal

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•about 8 hours•

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Wisconsin DB Xavier Lucas
© Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Xavier Lucas is withdrawing from Wisconsin and enrolling at Miami, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. He is doing so without entering the transfer portal.

Lucas took legal action against UW after the school refused to put his name in the portal and brought in Darren Heitner as his attorney. Per NCAA rules, schools have 48 hours after receiving notice of an athlete’s plans to transfer to enter their names into the portal. The athlete cannot do so.

Lucas’ move can take place within NCAA rules. The NCAA released a statement to Dellenger confirming that interpretation.

“NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately,” the statement read.

Lucas totaled 18 tackles as a freshman at Wisconsin this past season while adding two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Dellenger reported he signed a two-year revenue-sharing agreement, pending approval of the landmark House v. NCAA settlement, and UW would not enter his name into the portal.

“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.”

Xavier Lucas played high school football at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 331 overall player from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Lucas joins Miami’s growing class of newcomers, headlined by Carson Beck out of the portal. The former Georgia quarterback arrives as the No. 1-ranked transfer this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

As a group, Miami’s portal class ranks No. 4 this cycle, according to the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. Beck is the headliner, but the group also includes former LSU wide receiver CJ Daniels, who comes in as the No. 36 overall player and No. 11-ranked wide receiver to hit the open market.