UNC wide receiver Tez Walker denied immediate eligibility, school appeals decision

Updated Aug. 9, 8:03 p.m.: On Wednesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper posted on X that he sent a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker requesting that Tez Walker's transfer waiver be granted.

"Today, Gov. Cooper sent a letter to the NCAA President to grant Tez Walker's transfer waiver. Nothing could be bigger or more important to Tez than the opportunity to get a fine university education at UNC and to compete in front of his family in Carolina Blue," the post read.

Brian Murphy of WRAL broke the news first. The full letter can be read below.

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North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker, an incoming junior transfer who was set to be a key part of the UNC football team's offense this year, may not see the field when the Tar Heels face South Carolina in Charlotte on Sept. 2 in their season opener.

Walker, a Charlotte native, was looking forward to the game. He was looking forward to potentially seeing his grandmother, who he cited as the main reason for his decision to transfer, in the stands.

Now, he has to sit and wait.

Walker's waiver for immediate eligibility was denied by the NCAA a few weeks ago, UNC coach Mack Brown confirmed at an open practice on Tuesday. North Carolina is now taking steps to appeal the decision, Brown said.

The NCAA's decision is rooted in recent changes to the directive governing two-time transfers, guidelines that were altered on January 11 — two days after Walker commenced enrollment at UNC. Brown said that, according to the guidance in place when Walker enrolled in classes, he should have been eligible to play immediately at North Carolina.

Walker made waves when he transferred to UNC from Kent State, where he had been a standout player for two seasons. His exceptional numbers last season, 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns, earned him a spot on the first-team All-MAC list as a sophomore.

He was selected to the 2023 All-ACC Preseason Football Team and esteemed Biletnikoff Award Watch List in the lead-up to his first year at North Carolina. The Biletnikoff Award is given annually to the best wide receiver in college football.

Previous to his time at Kent State, Walker signed with East Tennessee State University but deferred his enrollment due to an ACL injury. The next year, he enrolled at N.C. Central, a program that had its season canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. Because of these circumstances, Walker is being subjected to the NCAA's current two-time transfer directive.

"Tez has only played football at one school and should be considered a one-time transfer," Brown said.

The denial of Walker's waiver for immediate eligibility is a blow to the UNC wide receiver corps as well as Walker's mental health, his coaches said. 

UNC assistant head coach Lonnie Galloway said that at a recent practice, he noticed Walker's poor body language and walked over to check on him. In response, Walker leaned his head on Galloway and cried. Walker told Galloway "I hope I get to play football."

"We are doing everything that we can to make sure he does not have to worry about that problem," Galloway said. "His focus should be school and football."

UNC Football posted a statement from Walker on social media shortly after the news broke.

Walker's statement said that he transferred from Kent State to North Carolina in order to be closer to his grandmother as she deals with health issues.

"I want this to be over. I want to stop feeling like this. 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," the statement read.

@shelbymswanson

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

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