UNC wide receiver Tez Walker accepted an invite to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Thursday, meaning the third team All-ACC honoree will forgo his senior season at Carolina and enter the NFL Draft. Inside Carolina later reported on Friday night that Walker would sit out UNC’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl matchup with West Virginia.

 

The 2023 season was Walker’s first with Carolina. The Charlotte native had an arduous journey to Chapel Hill, one which saw him initially commit to East Tennessee State. After suffering a serious knee injury, Walker’s ETSU scholarship was deferred and he signed with North Carolina Central instead. When the COVID pandemic forced FCS programs to cancel the 2020 season, Walker then went to Kent State in 2021. He played two seasons with the Golden Flashes and showcased undeniable talent, catching 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022.

Walker then entered the transfer portal and committed to Carolina, but a prolonged eligibility battle with the NCAA cost him the first four games of the season. The NCAA initially ruled Walker to be a two-time transfer (despite the fact that he’d only played for one school), only relenting after vehement protests from head coach Mack Brown, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and even Governor Roy Cooper.

Walker became the top target for Drake Maye once he finally took the field, leading the team in both receiving yards (699) and touchdowns (seven) despite playing in just eight games. He is the second Tar Heel to commit to play in the Senior Bowl, along with linebacker Cedric Gray.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

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