Lawyer for Xavier Lucas says ex-Wisconsin the player moves to Miamieven though the defender’s former school never included his name in the portal.
Darren Heitner represented Lucas, who pointed this out on social media last month that Wisconsin refused to include his name in the portal, making it difficult for him to contact other schools. Lucas announced in early December that he planned to enter the portal.
The NCAA released a statement Friday saying that “NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from deregistering from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and immediately competing.”
Yahoo Sports first reported Lucas’ plans to transfer to Miami, as well as the NCAA’s announcement.
Wisconsin officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Yahoo and the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Lucas had entered into an agreement to continue playing at Wisconsin before submitting his transfer application.
Heitner said X in the post that Lucas agreed to the memorandum of understanding contingent on House approval of the settlement, which calls for schools to pay players directly for use of their name, image and likeness, and on Lucas attending classes no later than this spring. Heitner added that Lucas has already signed out of Wisconsin.
Heitner also said Lucas did not receive any money from the state of Wisconsin and therefore did not owe it to the school.
Lucas, a native of Pompano Beach, Florida, had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack this season as a rookie at Wisconsin.
