UNC Preseason All-ACC WR's eligibility in jeopardy
North Carolina transfer wide receiver Devontez "Tez" Walker had his immediate eligibility revoked by the NCAA, the Daily Tar Heel reported on Tuesday.
Walker, who played two seasons at Kent State before transferring to UNC, was initially informed he'd be able to suit up right away in Chapel Hill. However, the NCAA told him Tuesday he was considered a "two-time transfer" for his time at NC Central, where the season was canceled due to COVID-19, per Tar Heel Illustrated.
"The way the rules were set up at the time, we knew we'd have to file a waiver as a two-time transfer," Walker said in the official statement above, noting that those waivers were usually granted. "But, after entering the portal and enrolling in classes, the NCAA voted to change the rule on two-tome transfers and denied my waiver."
Head coach Mack Brown said that because Walker didn't choose to lose the opportunity to play at NC Central, he's confident the WR will win the appeal.
"It's not like he's a normal two-time transfer," Brown told reporters, according to ESPN. "He's played at one school. He's followed all the rules and then the rules were changed. We feel very, very good the NCAA will look at this and understand this isn't a normal case of a double transfer and they will go ahead and accept the appeal and let him be able to play."
Inside Carolina reports there isn't a timeline on the appeal process, but Walker is still practicing for the time being.
If the Tar Heels don't grant the waiver, it will be a significant blow to the 20th-ranked team in the preseason coaches poll.
Walker caught 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at Kent State, adding three rushes for 29 yards and another score. For 2023 he was selected to the All-ACC Preseason First Team as well as the Biletnikoff Award watch list for the country's best wide receiver.
UNC fans can take some comfort in potential depth the Heels have at the position.
Fellow transfer Nate McCollum (from Georgia Tech) is a likely target to pick up the slack if Walker is ineligible, while redshirt freshman Andre Green Jr. and junior J.J. Jones could also to step up to help replace the production of Josh Downs, whom the Indianapolis Colts drafted in the third round of the draft.
If Walker can't play, that depth will be immediately tested as North Carolina opens against South Carolina in Walker's hometown of Charlotte on Sept. 2.
More must-reads: