Cornerback Xavier Lucas, currently involved in a dispute regarding his transfer request, has received consistent support from his attorney, Darren Heitner. Heitner has actively defended Lucas on social media and appeared on the Locked on Canes podcast on Monday to advocate for him.
During his appearance on Locked on Canes, hosted by Alex Donno—who also leads Miami’s football postgame show—Heitner was joined by frequent guest Bruce Warner, a Florida-based attorney. Through both social media posts and the podcast, Heitner aimed to share Lucas’ perspective on the situation.
Over the weekend, the Big Ten issued a statement backing Wisconsin’s efforts to prevent Lucas from entering the transfer portal. However, Heitner argued on the podcast that the agreement between Lucas and Wisconsin is not legally binding, as NCAA rules prohibit schools from directly compensating athletes.
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As of Monday morning, when the podcast was recorded, Heitner mentioned that he had not been in contact with Wisconsin for several days. However, he had previously spoken with an authorized staff member from the program. Heitner dismissed Wisconsin’s allegations of tampering as baseless.
The attorney for Xavier Lucas is still defending Miami and the CB.
Heitner argued that the NCAA should penalize Wisconsin for failing to allow Lucas into the transfer portal within the required two-day period, which violates an NCAA bylaw. Another key factor in Lucas’ decision to transfer, according to Heitner, is his father’s health issues, as moving closer to home would be in his best interest.
A graduate of American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale, Lucas now faces the challenge of returning to Wisconsin given the way he has been treated throughout the process. Heitner made efforts to contact both the NCAA and Wisconsin on Lucas’ behalf to facilitate his entry into the transfer portal.
After Wisconsin denied his request, Lucas chose to withdraw from the university and enroll at Miami without officially entering the portal. Reports suggest that athletes can transfer by withdrawing from one school and enrolling in another without necessarily going through the portal.
Efforts are underway to reclassify Lucas for the spring semester, as he is currently classified for the fall. However, Heitner acknowledged that Wisconsin cannot be compelled to place Lucas’ name in the portal. This case is complex, with broader implications tied to the ongoing U.S. House vs. NCAA case, which is expected to be resolved by April.
Lucas’ situation could establish important precedents for future athletes facing similar transfer obstacles. As NIL agreements are managed independently of athletic departments and players are not directly compensated for competition, the current transfer portal rules do not align with endorsement opportunities.
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