30 key Miami Hurricanes for 2025 season: Xavier Lucas looks like top-end cornerback
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 31 with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC).
With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.
Today: The No. 14 player on our list, Xavier Lucas.
What to know
Position: Defensive back
Hometown: Pompano Beach
Year: Sophomore
How he got to Miami: 2025 transfer (Wisconsin)
Key stats: 18 tackles, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups in 11 games (1 start) for Wisconsin
In summary: Xavier Lucas’ path to Miami is one that has been followed throughout the college football world at large. Wisconsin didn’t enter his name into the transfer portal when he requested in December, and he ultimately left and enrolled at Miami in January without formally going through the portal. That has led to Wisconsin filing a lawsuit claiming Miami tampered, a suit in which UM has filed a motion to dismiss. Through it all, Lucas has put his head down and worked. He shined during spring ball and has continued to hold his own throughout fall camp. Lucas is poised to be a starter alongside O.J. Frederique when the season begins and lead a revamped secondary that includes six new transfers (four corners in Lucas, Ethan O’Connor, Charles Brantley and Keionte Scott plus safeties Zechariah Poyser and Jakobe Thomas).
What they’re saying
“I was able to showcase my ability to use my my length, my speed, and just throw my body around and that I’m willing to tackle. I’m working on short-area quickness, short-yardage situation. Just building my football knowledge to slow the game down even more.” - Xavier Lucas on what he showcased in spring and what he wants to improve before the season
“It’s a great feeling. We put it in the past. We move on. We’ve got to keep pushing forward.” - Xavier Lucas on getting settled in at Miami despite the process it took to transfer
“X loves competition. He attacks it every single day. He’s constantly improving. He’s a bigger guy who uses his size very well. He’s a physical player. And he’s a guy that constantly is working. He’s another guy that anytime you look out the indoor [practice facility], he’s down there. He’s always in watching film. He’s always asking questions. He’s always working on his technique. And he’s constantly getting better at it. He’s one of those guys that if he lost yesterday on that route, if he is the same rep today, I know he’s gonna win that route because he’s constantly improving, and he’s getting more and more detailed in the way he approaches it every day.” - Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman on Xavier Lucas
The rest of the series
No. 15: Defensive lineman Justin Scott
No. 16: Wide receiver CJ Daniels
No. 17: Defensive lineman David Blay
No. 18: Defensive lineman Ahmad Moten
No. 19: Center James Brockermeyer
No. 20: Wide receiver Keelan Marion
No. 21: Defensive back Jakobe Thomas
No. 23: Defensive back Keionte Scott
No. 24: Running back Jordan Lyle
No. 25: Defensive back Damari Brown
No. 26: Defensive lineman Armondo Blount
No. 27: Wide receiver Malachi Toney
No. 28: Defensive back Ethan O’Connor
No. 29: Linebacker Kamal Bonner
No. 30: Running back CharMar Brown
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