The NCAA has reversed course on its decision regarding UNC wide receiver Tez Walker’s eligibility. Walker will now be eligible to play for the remainder of the 2023 season after sitting out the first four games, the organization announced on Thursday.
Statements from UNC HC Mack Brown and WR Tez Walker on Walker being ruled eligible immediately 🐏#CarolinaFootball 🏈 #UNCommon pic.twitter.com/0YaEU1lmNF
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 5, 2023
“We were thrilled to find out earlier today that Tez Walker has been granted his immediate eligibility,” head coach Mack Brown said in a statement. “We’re so happy for Tez. Everything that’s transpired over the last few months has been with the sole purpose of helping and supporting him, and now he’s going to have a chance to live his dream.”
In its statement on the case, the NCAA alleged UNC failed to provide information that would have aided Walker’s case, while also criticizing Brown and others’ strong responses to the initial denial of Walker’s waiver.
“UNC’s behavior and decision to wage a public relations campaign is inappropriate and outside the bounds of the process UNC’s own staff supported,” read the statement from NCAA president Charlie Baker and Division 1 Board of Directors chair Jere Morehead. “Had the UNC staff not behaved in this fashion and submitted this information weeks ago, this entire unfortunate episode could have been avoided.” Read the NCAA’s full statement here.
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham issued his own statement, in which he called the NCAA’s justification “not accurate.”
“The University submitted all necessary information and documentation as it was made available to us at the time,” Cunningham said, “and we still believe Tez met all the standards for the waiver in early August. It is not clear why the NCAA delayed making the correct decision then, but we are pleased to get to the appropriate resolution now.”
Brown thanked the NCAA “for being willing to re-examine Tez’s case, and ultimately deciding to grant him his eligibility.”
Walker released his own statement in conjunction with Brown.
“I’m looking forward to putting this in the past and moving forward,” he said. “I always knew UNC was a special place, but it’s proved it over and over again through the last few months.”
The transfer from Kent State was initially denied eligibility for the 2023 season as a two-time transfer. He originally enrolled at NC Central, but Walker never played a snap for the Eagles due to the FCS cancelling its 2020 season amid the COVID pandemic. Walker eventually transferred to Kent State, where he starred in two seasons for the Golden Flashes before entering the portal once again after the 2022 season.
Once Walker enrolled at UNC, the NCAA tightened up rules surrounding multiple-time transfers, meaning Walker would not be eligible to play for the Tar Heels until 2024. Carolina’s challenge of the ruling centered on several factors: Walker never played for NC Central, the more restrictive transfer rules weren’t published until after Walker enrolled in Chapel Hill, and his transfer should have been granted a mental health waiver due to Walker wanting to be closer to his ailing grandmother, who lives in Charlotte.
Walker has been named a preseason first team All-ACC honoree and a member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list (both were announced before Walker’s eligibility was initially denied). Prior to Week 1, Walker had been listed as the top receiver on UNC’s depth chart. After his eligibility was initially denied, Walker continued to practice as a member of the Tar Heels’ scout team. It’s unknown at this time whether he will start on Saturday against Syracuse, but Walker’s statement seemed to indicate he would be ready to play.
“I can’t wait to put on that jersey, run out of the tunnel, and play in Kenan Stadium,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time and now it will be a reality. See everyone on Saturday.”
Featured image via Associated Press/Reinhold Matay
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