Badgers’ Xavier Lucas is one of the most highly rated freshmen in college football

Badgers true freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas continues to shatter any expectations he had heading into the season. Through seven games, he is the sixth-highest rated true freshman playing at a school in the Power Four conferences, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Lucas was the ninth-best prospect in Wisconsin’s 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, but he may have been the most important this season. He has played 135 snaps and earned an overall grade of 80.7 from PFF.

He has established himself as the No. 4 cornerback on the Badgers’ roster, although how much he performs in the future remains to be seen after suffering an upper-body injury against Northwestern last week. No updates have been given on the severity of his injury.

Minnesota’s Koi Perich and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith are the only two true freshmen in the Big Ten to have a better PFF grade than Lucas this season.

In 80 coverage snaps this season, Lucas has a grade of 82.2. According to PFF, he has allowed just five receptions for 41 yards while being the primary target player. He had an interception in his first career game against Western Michigan and has had three pass breakups this season.

Cornerback may be one of the lowest-ranked groups on Wisconsin’s roster, but Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean and RJ Delancy III all have the opportunity to enter the NFL draft after the season. The future prospects of the position look bright with Lucas at the forefront.