Wisconsin Badgers lose CB Nyzier Fourqurean after NCAA appeal rules him ineligible

The NCAA won its appeal to a federal judge, who ruled that Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean is out of eligibility and can't play this fall.

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) celebrates after a defense stop during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers are losing one of the key pieces of their secondary thanks to an appeal by the NCAA.

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean has run out of eligibility to continue his college football career.

The NCAA has won an appeal in the eligibility case brought by Wisconsin DB Nyzier Fourqurean, who argued that his DII seasons do not count against his DI eligibility.

The appeal - a 2-1 decision -overturns an injunction that would have permitted Fourqurean to play this fall. pic.twitter.com/feBGdfM0QN

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 16, 2025

The ruling came in the NCAA's appeal of an earlier injuction that granted Fourqurean additional eligibility.

His attorney argued that the cornerback's seasons playing at the Division-II level should not count toward his eligibility to play Division-I football for the Badgers.

He had been practicing with Wisconsin, and Luke Fickell was operating as though he would have Fourqurean in his secondary this season.

The NCAA won its appeal, and the cornerback can no longer play.

The key issue for the appellate court: Fourqurean was required to define the relevant market, and he didn't attempt to do that. But the appellate court concedes that Fourqurean may succeed in establishing his claim and asks the district court to expedite the coming litigation. pic.twitter.com/rrqPNgr0Ej

— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) July 16, 2025

It's a massive blow to the Badgers secondary that already lost Xavier Lucas in a separate legal controversy this past winter.

It puts more pressure on senior Ricardo Hallman to step up into an even bigger play-making role in 2025 as the defense moves on without Fourqurean.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

• Wisconsin football staff goes on recruiting blitz with at least 6 new offers for 2027, 2028 classes

• Conor Stalions admits Michigan knew all of Wisconsin Badgers' signals in 2021

• PFF says Wisconsin Badgers have hardest football schedule in FBS, projecting 5 wins

• 4 of Wisconsin Badgers' Big Ten rivals among biggest NIL spenders in college football