Wisconsin and Xavier Lucas have been in a standoff since December about his ability to transfer. It has taken a few different twists and turns, and eventually, Lucas even hired legal representation to help free him from not being released by Wisconsin and Luke Fickell. His attorney, Darren Heitner, has been vocal online, and his latest post has signaled the end of the drama or maybe even the beginning of a new wave of drama.
XAVIER LUCAS IS A FREE MAN pic.twitter.com/ukX9Ycgxqi
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) January 17, 2025
Xavier Lucas is off to Miami in spite of Wisconsin and Luke Fickell.
The post above by Heitner indicates that Lucas can finally go where he was long rumored to go, and that is to the University of Miami. The reports surfaced months ago but are already back out as Lucas is headed from Wisconsin to Miami. Ross Dellenger details what was also reported earlier this month that the standoff wasn't that Fickell wanted to prove a point or had some sort of personal issue with Lucas; it came from Lucas signing a deal with Wisconsin and then quickly entering the portal.
NEW: In a precedent-setting move that may spark landmark legal action among schools, Wisconsin DB Xavier Lucas, who signed a rev-share deal w/UW, is transferring to Miami, his attorney @DarrenHeitner tells @YahooSports.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 17, 2025
UW refused to enter him in portal https://t.co/SJg2MVpN4r
The timing and the signing of a contract is what held Wisconsin up. Dellenger, in his post on Yahoo Sports, details an interesting moment when Lucas went to Fickell personally to try to get things cleared up, and Fickell instead tried to recruit him back to Wisconsin.
"According to Heitner, Lucas and his family, “in an act of desperation,” reached out to Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell last week to plead for an explanation and to reconsider the decision. The coach instead attempted to convince Lucas to remain at UW."Ross Dellenger
However, the post also adds a whole new twist. Lucas may not actually be in the portal, but he's simply going to Miami anyway. Instead of a contract, it's a two-year revenue share deal. It's a mess and the situation remains teneable as both sides seem to be making a stand. It seems Lucas is fine breaking the contract and even seeing if Wisconsin files a suit back towards him. Dellenger writes, "Breaking the agreement could trigger litigation from Wisconsin onto Lucas and/or Miami."
More will come soon, but for now, it looks like Lucas is going to play for Miami, and he's going to dare Wisconsin and the NCAA to do something about it. This could trigger a whole new set of rules and or no rules as the NIL and pay-to-play continue to be pushed to the further extent of the boundaries.