After battling with the Wisconsin Badgers over the past month to have his name entered on the transfer portal after signing a revenue-sharing deal with the school, wide receiver Xavier Lucas has now decommitted from the school and enrolled in Miami.
This has the makings of one of the most revolutionary moves we’ve seen in college athletics when it comes to how transfer portals work, and could lead to significant changes in the future. This whole ordeal started when Xavier Lucas decided he wanted it transfer from Wisconsinlooking for a school closer to home, in the eyes of a wide audience.
But there was a problem for Lucas, revolving around the two-year contract he signed with the school that was tied to an upcoming revenue-sharing model that has yet to be approved by a judge, according to his attorney, Darren Heitner.
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So the school felt like they had made a financial deal and didn’t want to enter his name into the transfer portal database.
If you are not familiar with how the portal works, the school is required to enter the player’s name into the database after he or she fills out the appropriate paperwork required for entry. As we’ve seen over the past few years, the transfer portal continues to be one of the most talked about topics in college athletics.
Just this year, the rules commission decided to shorten the period in which the portal will be open, starting from December 9 to December 24.
Players participating in the postseason receive a five-day extension after the season ends, which has helped those still competing in the College Football Playoff.
Xavier Lucas’ lawyer talks to OutKick’s Trey Wallace
Wisconsin Cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is pictured during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
In the case of Xavier Lucas, he submitted his paperwork on time, but the school remained adamant that his name not be entered into the database, due to a revenue sharing agreement that both parties signed before Lucas attempted to enter his name into the portal. . .
The contractual agreement at the center of this dispute was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that gives the school all rights related to that player’s name, image and likeness, meaning Wisconsin or any other school can use his name for those purposes and Lucas would in return was paid.
OutKick spoke with Darren Heitner, who represents Xavier Lucas in the matter, about the agreement.
“The memorandum of understanding is subject to approval House settlement (which has yet to receive final approval) and Xavier who will attend classes no later than spring 2025 (he has withdrawn from the Institution),” Heitner noted. “Furthermore, he asked to enter his name on the Transfer Portal, but the Institution denied him improperly denied the right to do so, in violation of NCAA rules. Regardless, the Institution did not pay him any funds, and therefore he does not owe the Institution any compensation.”
Heitner also noted that Xavier Lucas’ father is currently dealing with a health issue that has led to the former Badger looking to move closer to home.
In short, the school and Xavier Lucas agreed to a deal that is currently not legal, because House vs. NCAA there was no settlement approved through a judge.
This sets a new precedent for a transfer portal in college athletics
Wisconsin Cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is flanked by a member of the coaching staff during the fourth quarter of their game against South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK)
One of the main takeaways from all of this ordeal is that former Wisconsin wide receiver Xavier Lucas decided not to go through the transfer portal on his way to Miami. After waiting for the school to enter his name into the database, Lucas simply decommitted from Wisconsin and has now enrolled at Miami.
Yes, there have been other schools that have signed players to contracts under the impression that a revenue sharing agreement would be approved by a judge, but this issue of players and programs fighting over the legality of the contract is the first that has been publicly discussed.
Now we could see a monster change in how players decide to transfer, outside of the actual portal period dates. At this point, if a player wanted to transfer, he would have to do so as a ‘Graduate Transfer’. But Xavier Lucas’ decision not to use the portal and enroll at another institution outside the window sets a new precedent for potential player departures.
“NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from withdrawing from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately,” an NCAA spokesman noted in a statement tonight.
Darren Heitner mentioned to Yahoo Sports that Xavier Lucas tried to talk it over with Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell one last time, to try to talk Lucas into staying.
Obviously, this is a huge development for players in all sports. As for whether Wisconsin will sue Xavier Lucas for his NISH rights while at Miami, attorney Darren Heitner told OutKick’s Trey Wallace that it would only further tarnish the school’s reputation.
“The most short-sighted move for Wisconsin would be to sue,” Heitner noted. “The institution has no support and will only tarnish the reputation that they have already damaged enough with their own misdeeds.”
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As for what’s next in Xavier Lucas’ college career, he’s going to put that behind him and contribute to the Miami Hurricanes.
But it’s a non-traditional way to get to Miami that could change the rules surrounding the transfer portal, or for that matter, the lack of an actual time period tied to the window itself.
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