Luke Fickell calls out NCAA over Nyzier Fourqurean eligibility controversy: 'It's been very difficult for him'

Wisconsin has been without cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean this season as he awaits a ruling on a legal case that would give him an additional year of eligibility based on precedent set in other similar cases. He has not yet received that ruling.

Meanwhile, the Badgers’ season grows shorter and shorter. Coach Luke Fickell was asked for an update on his status on Monday, and the answer started innocuously enough.

“So I’m not going to talk a ton about Nyzier’s situation, but he does (practice),” Fickell said. “He does everything he can during the week. Scout team and different things like that, he’s been mixed around in some things just to fill some gaps. It’s been very difficult for him.”

After answering another question toward the end of his press conference, Fickell circled back around to Nyzier Fourqurean. He was not happy.

“As I do end I will just bring up Nyzier,” Fickell said. “I didn’t want it to deflect from the truth and the things that we needed to be able to hit. But I would be remiss if I didn’t say the thing that keeps me motivated more than anything, and just so you guys are aware, is the kids in that locker room. And doing everything I can and we can to give them the opportunities to be successful, because that’s what our job is, and that’s what keeps me motivated. To see what has happened with Nyzier is a shame.”

Nyzier Fourqurean went to federal court earlier this year as he sought to keep playing for Wisconsin. His case rested on the fact that his first two seasons at Division II Grand Valley State shouldn’t count toward his eligibility.

He was initially granted a preliminary injunction, awarding him eligibility, in February. However, an appeals court turned that decision over in July.

Fourqurean has been waiting for the case to go to trial ever since. The date keeps getting pushed back and is now slated for 2026.

Fickell said the delay in ruling has “crushed” Nyzier Fourqurean and his potential on the field. He went off.

“So it’s been in federal court now for a few months,” Fickell said. “I don’t want to go through the timeline of what I had here. But our judge, judge (William) Conley somewhere in the federal courts here, has had over two months here to give this kid a decision. It has been pushed back and pushed back and pushed back over and over and over again.

“To not have the guy give the kid an answer for two months, he has crushed the potential of this kid. I love Nyzier and I always say I’m not speaking for Nyzier, but it is as disappointing as something I’ve been around in a long time. And when he was even told by the guy that he was going to give him an answer during the bye week, again, the kid has nothing. Not saying where he should rule. That’s not my domain. But to sit on something for a couple months — unacceptable.”

Nyzier Fourqurean spent the last two years at Wisconsin (2023-24) after two years at Grand Valley State (2021-22). He recorded 51 tackles and an interception last season while starting in 12 games for the Badgers.