It was reported over a week prior that Wisconsin Badgers DB Xavier Lucas would enter the transfer portal. But after eight days without his official entrance papers cleared, Lucas was still unable to be contacted by other programs.
On Friday, December 27, Lucas cleared the air, paving the way for a potentially messy exit from Madison.
‘I Still Intend to Transfer’ – Xavier Lucas Blames Wisconsin for Portal Delay
Lucas, a former four-star recruit from American Heritage High School in Florida, played in four games for Wisconsin in 2024. It was reported back on December 19 that he would enter the portal.
But as of December 27, Lucas was not officially in the portal and thus, not allowed to be contacted by other schools to recruit him. Lucas cleared the air via social media on Friday.
I still intend to transfer, but at the moment Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal. 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 (@XavierL_25) December 27, 2024
“I still intend to transfer, but at the moment Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal,” Lucas posted to X. “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.”
This adds to the drama that is Lucas’ offseason move. Just eight days prior, his previous tweet was that he was officially in the portal. And yet, here we are.
Thank you Wisconsin for everything! I’m officially in the transfer portal.
— Xavier Lucas (@XavierL_25) December 19, 2024
By all accounts, the drama is likely just beginning too.
Why Can’t Xavier Lucas Enter the Transfer Portal?
In most situations, student-athletes enter the transfer portal via the same path.
First, a player files his an official request to the school’s compliance office that they wish to enter the portal. This request must be made in writing.
Second, the school compliance office is then responsible for entering the student-athlete’s information into the portal within 48 hours of receiving the request. The NCAA manages a database that then alerts other schools of the athlete’s availability in the portal.
From there, schools can recruit and speak with any athlete in the portal. Importantly, there is no legislature that states a school or university can block or delay a student-athlete’s request to enter the portal.
And that’s where this could potentially get messy.
If Lucas’ request was clear and in writing, then he is legally allowed to enter the portal and the Badgers could be at fault for not placing him in the portal from his request in a timely manner.
There will likely be two sides to this story, and that will likely only come out over the next few days based on what information the public can learn.
MORE: Track every transfer portal athlete’s movement in the CFN Transfer Portal Tracker
Lucas himself should be a sought-after player in the portal as a former four-star recruit. He played in 10 games as a true freshman, playing a hefty amount of snaps in games against South Dakota, Alabama, USC, Purdue, Rutgers, and Nebraska.
With that kind of experience and his many years of eligibility left, Lucas should be a key target for any team in need of a potential future star at CB.
That’s if, of course, Wisconsin gets him in the portal.
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