The Wisconsin Badgers football team could get a nice defensive boost Xavier Lucas if a defender is ejected from the game.
The Badgers must travel to clear California this weekend to face the #13 USC Trojans to begin conference play. USC played its first Big Ten matchup in program history last weekend and suffered a tough loss in Ann Arbor. The Trojans will hope to change the conference standings with a win over visiting Wisconsin this weekend.
While Wisconsin didn’t have the best showing against #4 Alabama, the Badgers were also without several key players for the game, including true freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas, who had an interception to seal the win against Western Michigan in his first varsity game.
Xavier Lucas makes this NFL interception on the sideline. Two feet down! #badgers #cfb @XavierL_25 @UWBadgers photo: twitter.com/eradP8bFz8
— DKYSports Wisconsin (@dkysportswisco) September 2, 2024
Lucas is a player who could have a great, under-the-radar impact for Wisconsin as teams try to avoid fellow cornerback Ricardo Hallman. Hallman had seven interceptions last season and built an island of his own in the process as opposing quarterbacks tend to avoid Hallman altogether.
#Badgers CB Xavier Lucas has been ranked as the highest-rated freshman CB in college football by PFFhttps://t.co/TtU0evv7QB
— Bucky’s 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 20, 2024
Lucas has proven he’s no slouch either, quickly becoming one of the highest-rated freshman cornerbacks this season. Lucas has barely played a full game for the Badgers and already has the staff trying to figure out ways to get the athlete on the field.
Wisconsin Badgers Expect CB Xavier Lucas to Return for Trojans Showdown
Because Hallman often finds himself one-on-one with opposing players, the quarterback tends to target a cornerback or deep defender against the Badgers.
Lucas could become a key player in the future as talented quarterbacks look to attack elsewhere rather than Hallman. Lucas will likely be someone defenses will want to test due to his age, but the cornerback is certainly a more mature football player than most freshmen.
Mike Tressel says there will be some hurdles to overcome, but he expects CB Xavier Lucas to be available this week. #Badgers
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) September 23, 2024
Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel spoke about Lucas and gave an update on the injury the cornerback suffered. Lucas fell to the concrete surrounding the football field during his second game of the season with the Badgers. The cornerback missed the last game against the Crimson Tide but is expected to return against the Trojans.
Tressel said Lucas will be able to play this weekend, but he still has a few “hurdles” to clear before he’s cleared by doctors. The exact injury Lucas suffered is unclear, so the relative timetable for the defensive back’s return also wasn’t clear earlier.
However, it looks like the Wisconsin Badgers defense is going to get a boost against the Trojans. Tressel expects Lucas to play and be a typical contributor with no time constraints.
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