Wisconsin Badgers Freshman CB Xavier Lucas Makes Strong First Impression in Debut

Before the Wisconsin Badgers began their season, star cornerback Ricardo Hallman was already singing the praises of freshman Xavier Lucas, indicating to the media that this kid had a chance to be special.

And now, just one game into his college football career, the Florida native has done nothing to stop the hype train.

In Wisconsin's season opener against Western Michigan, Lucas made the most of his limited opportunities.

The freshman saw seven snaps in coverage, recording one tackle and an interception on the only pass thrown his way. While it’s a small sample size, Lucas's performance was enough to earn him an elite 92.1 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus .

With established starters like Hallman and senior Nyzier Fourqurean returning, along with Toledo transfer RJ Delancy and Jonas Duclona, the Badgers already have a fair amount of depth at cornerback. Yet, Lucas has shown that he’s ready to make an impact as a true freshman for Wisconsin in 2024.

Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell spoke highly of Lucas after the game, underlining the natural abilities that have allowed the 6-foot-2 cornerback from Pompano Beach (Fla.) to make an early mark.

"That position [cornerback] gives you a better opportunity probably to play at a younger age if your skill set when you walk in matches what it is that you actually need to do on the football field," Fickell told reporters .

"The good news is, we've got some depth in that room... he's got some really great guys to learn from and battle with. He's a guy you're going to continue to see more and more of... his skill set [ability to run and cover] matches... the things that allow a young guy, especially at that position, to play really early and play well."

With Lucas’ strong debut and a standout fall camp in the rearview mirror, it’s become clear that he’s earned the trust of the coaching staff and will continue to see the field more as the season progresses. Wisconsin Badgers fans might want to keep an eye on Lucas because his impact on the team's secondary could be a game-changer. By the end of the year, I wouldn't be surprised if Lucas establishes himself as one of the top cornerbacks on the roster once he gains more meaningful experience.

Related: Armchair QB: Grading Tyler Van Dyke's Debut for the Wisconsin Badgers

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