Attorney Accuses Wisconsin of Blocking Football Player Xavier Lucas From Entering Transfer Portal

An attorney for the Wisconsin Badgers' Xavier Lucas has accused the school of barring the freshman safety from entering the transfer portal. 

On Dec. 9, Lucas thanked the University of Wisconsin in a post on X, declaring his intentions to enter the transfer portal. Eight days later, however, he posted another message, indicating that Wisconsin had violated the two-day window for entering an athlete into the portal and, according to Lucas, was refusing to release him. 

Lucas can't sign with another football program until he has officially been entered into the transfer process. 

Sports attorney Darren Heitner indicated that Wisconsin has yet to enter Lucas into the transfer portal, noting that Lucas has retained his services. 

 “Xavier met all of the NCAA's requirements to be entered into the transfer portal and Wisconsin had two business days to process his entry; however, Wisconsin has thus far denied Xavier from entering the transfer portal despite Wisconsin being a voluntary member of the NCAA, which requires Wisconsin to abide by its rules. A federal judge has already ruled that it is illegal to hamstring athletes by limiting the choices that they have within the relevant market to find a Division I institution that provides the best environment for their academic, mental, and economic well-being," Heitner told NIL Daily. 

Heitner further indicates that Wisconsin’s actions place them in jeopardy, “Wisconsin's act, to prevent Xavier from entering into the transfer portal under the NCAA's requirements, is even worse than the Transfer Eligibility Rule that was struck down by a federal judge.” Without prompt action from Wisconsin, Heitner indicates that Lucas “will promptly file a Complaint and an emergency motion for TRO/preliminary injunction, if necessary.”

The University of Wisconsin has yet to comment on the matter.