Since the introduction of the transfer portal, there have been countless coaches barking allegations of tampering with their rosters, and while there have been a small handful of coaches who have called out specific programs, most of those allegations have stayed away from naming specific schools and none of them have sparked (known) investigations into tampering - much to the frustration of coaches everywhere.
Well, that's about to change, and tampering is only part of the story with contractual agreements also set to be a hot-button issue.
Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas recently decided he wanted to transfer following his freshman season, but the Badgers refused to allow him to enter his name in the portal.
After some back-and-forth, the NCAA released a statement Friday saying that "NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately."
Essentially, that was the NCAA's roundabout way of saying the transfer portal doesn't actually exist.
At the center of the controversy is the fact that Lucas and Wisconsin entered into a binding two-year NIL agreement back in December of 2024 that included "substantial financial compensation. He also entered an additional agreement with the Varsity Collective as well.
Tonight, Wisconsin released a statement to help clear the air, and in it they talk about how players expect the school to honor the full terms of the deal, and they expect the same.
Then the Badgers note that they have "credible information indicating impermissible contact between Xavier and the University of Miami football program personnel prior to Xavier's request to enter the transfer portal. Direct interference with another institutions committed player and contractual interests is prohibited by NCAA tampering rules and the law."
The statement from Wisconsin goes on to note that this "is another significant moment in the evolution of college athletics."
"As we move toward a future state that will rely on direct contracting with student athletes, enforcing the parties adherence to contract obligations and addressing improper interference by other institutions must be a priority," the statement goes on to share.
See the full statement below.
The statement closes with a vow to review all the facts and "evaluate all options going forward to determine the appropriate course of action," and it sure feels like a legal battle is on the horizon.
The Big Ten has also come out with a statement in full support of Wisconsin in the matter that is sure to draw the attention of every college athletics program paying out NIL deals across the country.
One would expect Miami to follow up with a statement of their own soon.
Stay tuned to The Scoop as this one continues to develop.