A dispute centered on reassignment leads to Xavier Lucas leaving Wisconsin for Miami
After fighting with the Wisconsin Badgers last month about putting his name on the transfer portal, after signing an agreement with the school about revenue sharing, wide receiver Xavier Lucas has now withdrawn from the school and enrolled in Miami.
This has led to one of the saddest moves we've seen in college athletics when it comes to how the transfer portal works, and it could lead to significant changes in the future. This whole ordeal started when Xavier Lucas decided he wanted to transfer to Wisconsin, wanting to find a school closer to home, in the eyes of a wide receiver.
But there was a problem for Lucas, and it all centered around a two-year deal he signed with the school that was tied to a future revenue-sharing model that has yet to be approved by a judge, according to his attorney, Darren Heitner.
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Therefore, the school felt it had a financial deal, and would not enter his name in the transfer portal database.
If you are not familiar with how the portal works, the school is responsible for entering the player's name into the database once they have completed the appropriate paperwork required for entry. As we've seen over the past few years, the transfer window has continued to be one of the most talked about subjects in all of college athletics.
Just this year, the rules committee decided to shorten the period in which the portal will be open, from December 9, until December 24.
Players who participated in the postseason were given a five-day extension when their season ended, which helped those still competing in the College Football Playoff.
Xavier Lucas' Attorney Talks With OutKick's Trey Wallace
Wisconsin quarterback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
In the case of Xavier Lucas, he had submitted his documents on time, but the school was adamant about not including his name in the database, due to a revenue sharing agreement signed by both parties before Lucas attempted to enter his name in the portal. .
The contract agreement at the center of the dispute was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that gave the school all rights to that player's name, image and likeness, meaning that Wisconsin, or any other school, could use his name for those purposes and Lucas would be paid in return.
OutKick spoke to Darren Heitner, who represents Xavier Lucas in the matter about the deal.
“The memorandum of understanding is subject to the approval of the The house payment (which has not yet received final approval) and Xavier attends classes before the Spring of 2025 (he is not enrolled at the Institute),” noted Heitner. “In addition, he wanted to enter his name on the Dlulisa Portal, but the Institute unjustly denied his right to do so, and is a violation of NCAA rules. However, the Institute did not pay him the fees and therefore no refund is owed to the Institute.
It was also noted by Heitner that Xavier Lucas' father is currently dealing with a health issue that led to the former Badger wanting to be closer to home.
In short, the school and Xavier Lucas agreed to an agreement that is currently illegal, because House v NCAA compensation has not been approved by a judge.
This Sets a New Precedent for the College Sports Transfer Portal
Wisconsin linebacker Xavier Lucas (6) is escorted by a member of the training 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 this whole ordeal is that former Wisconsin wide receiver Xavier Lucas decided not to go through the transfer portal when he went to Miami. After waiting for the school to add his name to the database, Lucas decommitted from Wisconsin, and is now enrolled at Miami.
Yes, there are other schools that have signed players to agreements that the agreement on the distribution of money will be approved by the judge, but this issue of the player and the system claiming the validity of the contract is starting to come to light. discussed.
Now, we can see a big change in the way players decide to transfer, apart from the actual days of the portal era. Currently, if a player wants to transfer, he will have to do so as a 'Graduate Transfer'. But, since Xavier Lucas decided not to use the portal, and to register at another institution outside the window, he sets a new example of how players can go.
“NCAA rules do not prohibit a student-athlete from de-enrolling, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately,” an NCAA spokesperson said in a statement this evening.
Darren Heitner told Yahoo Sports that when Xavier Lucas made a last-ditch effort to discuss the matter with Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell, he tried to talk Lucas into staying.
Obviously, this is a huge improvement for players in all sports. As for whether Wisconsin will sue Xavier Lucas for his NIL rights while at Miami, attorney Darren Heitner told OutKick's Trey Wallace that it would only tarnish the school's name.
“The shortest step Wisconsin would take would be to sue,” Heitner noted. “The institution does not have a leg to stand on and it will tarnish the name of the fact that they have already done the damage caused by their evil.”
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As for what's next in Xavier Lucas' college career, he'll look to put this behind him and contribute to the Miami Hurricanes.
But, it is a non-traditional way to arrive in Miami that could change the rules around the transfer portal, or for that matter, the lack of needing time attached to the window itself.
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