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A Potential Sleeper First Round Pick Prepares for his Second Season At Miami

Xavier Lucas, on and off the field, is a quiet man with first-round potential. He looks to increase his draft stock during his draft-eligible year.
Justice Sandle|
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Xavier Lucas (6) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Xavier Lucas (6) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Entering last season, the Miami Hurricanes went hard in the transfer portal for secondary talent to match what they already had.

The key to the secondary was the acquisition of former Wisconsin corner Xavier Lucas. It came with some controversy, but it shut down one side of the field for the rest of the season. Lucas is one of the best corners in the country that no one is talking about.

Lucas is projected as a day-two pick so far entering this season, but that can quickly change if he has another productive season.

"My technique, of course, but just trying to slow the game down as much as I can and become a smarter football player and make it easier for myself," Lucas said on trying to improve his game for his junior season.

Lucas also knows the importance of this season because he is draft-eligible. That is why he is more focused than ever to get to where he wants to be.

"Definitely, because this year I would become draft eligible, and knowing that they were in my shoes and they showed that it's possible. You just have to put your head down and work," Lucas said.

Moreover, he isn't the only one in the room with first-round potential and aspirations. OJ Frederique Jr. is a few interceptions away from being a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, along with other players.

The Hurricanes' secondary is arguably the best room in the country and on the team. Lucas's idea is to stay focused while they compete with each other because he knows that at any time, anyone could take anyone's spot.

"We're all bought in together," Lucas said. "We can't just focus on ourselves because we're a team. We've got to be bought in because if we're just worrying about ourselves, we're not going to get nowhere. But, yeah, we work with them, not even just in the field, but, in the film room. We go over divider splits or things like that, what they see from this receiver, how can they do this better, how can they do that better. But we work on their craft every day, every day."

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Justice Sandle
JUSTICE SANDLE

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.

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