Wisconsin DB Xavier Lucas in limbo after Badgers reportedly fail to file portal paperwork
Wisconsin is in a sticky situation with one player involving the transfer portal following the end of the 2024 season.
That player is defensive back Xavier Lucas, a former 4-star prospect out of Florida in the 2024 recruiting class. Lucas was an immediate contributor for the Badgers with 18 total tackles as a true freshman to go with 2 pass breakups, a sack and an interception.
However, Lucas is looking to exit Madison in the transfer portal, issuing a personal announcement on Thursday that he was going to be entering the portal:
Thank you Wisconsin for everything! I’m officially in the transfer portal.
— Xavier Lucas (@XavierL_25) December 19, 2024
There’s just one problem with Lucas’s plan: The Badgers reportedly failed to file his paperwork in a timely manner.
That is per a report from Gaby Urrutia with 247 Sports. According to Urrutia, Wisconsin did not submit the paperwork in a 48-hour window necessary for Lucas.
Sources tell me that Wisconsin CB Xavier Lucas wants to enter the transfer portal but Wisconsin has yet to submit his paperwork. The 48-hour threshold has passed.
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) December 21, 2024
It will be interesting to see how this situation develops and if Luke Fickell or someone associated with Wisconsin has a response to that report. Based on current rules in place, it would be hard to see a team finding a way to truly block a player from leaving the program if that is indeed Lucas’s final decision.