UNC football wide receiver Tez Walker denied immediate eligibility by NCAA
North Carolina football wide receiver Tez Walker has been denied immediate eligibility by the NCAA, UNC coach Mack Brown announced Tuesday afternoon.
A preseason All-ACC selection, Walker is expected to be one of the top skill players around quarterback Drake Maye this season.
Walker enrolled at UNC on Jan. 9, according to UNC, and the NCAA changed its two-time transfer rules on Jan. 11. The NCAA Council made the switch with hopes of limiting waivers for two-time transfers.
“The NCAA indicated approval of his waiver at that time, but that was before the change of the waiver directive," Brown said. "Tez has only played football at one school and should be considered a first-time transfer.”
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A player can receive immediate eligibility if they have a physical injury or mental health condition that prompts them to transfer from a school. Additionally, the NCAA said it will consider "exigent circumstances" that could force a player to leave a school.
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In a school-issued statement, Walker said his main reason for transferring from Kent State was “the stress and anxiety I was feeling being away from home, while my grandmother deals with health issues.” The Charlotte native went on to say “this whole experience has been extremely difficult on me and my family.”
"He's followed all the rules and then the rules were changed," Brown said. "We feel very, very good moving forward that 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 play when we open up for the season."
Brown said the Tar Heels are appealing the decision, but there’s no timetable on when a response will be received.
"When he transferred, we thought it was an absolute no-brainer, because he fits every reason that transfers should be eligible," Brown said. "We were really, really surprised when it was denied, and disappointed."
Walker played two seasons at Kent State in 2021-22. He originally planned to start his career at East Tennessee State in 2019, but he sat out with a torn ACL and never stepped on the field for the Buccaneers. He then made a move to North Carolina Central before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 season.
“With all of that factored in and more, we’re hoping the people making this decision realize the stress and anxiety that comes along with this and can provide a resolution quickly," Walker said.
"I did everything within the rules to allow me to play this year, have clearly had some things happen that were out of my control, and have dealt with the mental anguish that comes along with all of it.”
Because Walker has only played college football at Kent State, Brown is hopeful the NCAA will allow Walker to suit up for the Tar Heels. The all-conference wideout had 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
“I want this to be over. I want to stop feeling like this," Walker said. "I just want to play. I want my grandmother to come watch me. I want to be a student and an athlete and I hope those in charge give me that opportunity.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football: Tar Heels WR Tez Walker denied immediate eligibility
