Xavier Lucas’ second season at Miami has hit a rough patch.
The former Wisconsin cornerback is expected to miss about a month after leaving the Hurricanes’ season opener against Stanford with an injury and then sitting out against FAMU. Miami coach Mario Cristobal gave the update after the game, saying, "Xavier got hurt last game, and he’s going to miss approximately a month, and hopefully, that’ll be it, and we’ll get him back.”
For Lucas, it’s another setback in a Miami run that has already been anything but smooth. He arrived at Wisconsin as a 4-star recruit with plenty of upside, then became part of a messy freshman-year situation in which Miami illegally recruited him, signed him, and Lucas and his lawyer created a new way to transfer. That episode pushed Wisconsin into court battles with the University of Miami.
On the field, Lucas’ first season in Miami didn’t deliver the breakout many expected. He finished with 45 tackles, one interception and one sack, and PFF gave him a 76.4 coverage grade. That was solid, but not the leap some had in mind.
His lone season at Wisconsin actually stacked up well by comparison. Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one sack and one interception for the Badgers, and PFF graded him at 81.2 in coverage.
Now, heading into what was supposed to be his junior season in Miami, Lucas is again dealing with disappointment. The injury keeps him out for roughly a month, which means the Hurricanes will have to lean on their cornerback depth in the meantime.
For Wisconsin fans, there’s still curiosity about how Lucas’ career will unfold. But for now, they won’t need to keep tabs on him for a while.
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The setup is complicated by the usual September uncertainty, with injury questions already circling and a few important names still not fully settled heading into the game. There is also the possibility of a sparse turnout, which would leave Wisconsin trying to make its statement in a quieter building than anyone expected for an opener. For a team looking to steady itself, the margin for a flat afternoon feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]