Tez Walker makes first career appearance as a Tar Heel against Syracuse

Leading the UNC football team out of the tunnel with the North Carolina state flag in his left hand, Tez Walker took the field at Kenan Stadium on Saturday.

Although he didn’t start, the junior wide receiver finally lined up as a Tar Heel in the eighth minute of  UNC's 40-7 win over Syracuse. Minutes later, Walker caught his first career reception as a Tar Heel — a short, six-yard dime from sophomore quarterback Drake Maye.

It looked natural for the Kent State transfer — like he had been out there all season playing with the team. 

“It’s just dope,” Walker said. “I mean, it’s just something I’ve dreamed about since I was six years old and I started playing — being in front of something like that, stuff happening like that — it’s a blessing.” 

If you had asked Walker on Thursday morning if he thought he'd be catching passes against the Orange on Saturday, his answer would've been a resounding no. The preseason first-team All-ACC select had been struggling with eligibility issues all fall, stemming from the NCAA's two-time transfer directive. After multiple appeals to reverse his ineligibility were denied, the Charlotte native said he thought there was “no chance” he would get to play in the regular season.

Then, his world was flipped upside down. 

At 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, the NCAA alerted head coach Mack Brown that it changed its ruling and would grant Walker eligibility, effective immediately. Brown scrambled to tell Walker, who was in class at the time, before the NCAA released its statement at 12:45. 

Upon hearing the news, Walker immediately called his grandmother, Loretta Black, who screamed so loud Walker said he had to turn the volume on his phone down. 

Walker and Black have a special relationship. Before going to college, Walker was his grandmother's caretaker and she was his number one fan. Despite this, she had never seen him play college football in person. 

That is, until Saturday. 

Black, seated in section 126 alongside 10 other family members, was in attendance to watch Walker make his first appearance in Carolina Blue. 

Black said she missed Walker’s first catch after she got up to go to the restroom. The second completion, though? She definitely saw that one. 

“It’s overwhelming, exciting,” Black said. “I just thank God for everything, that everything turned out [OK]"

In addition to his grandmother, Walker's teammates were overjoyed to see Walker competing on the turf. 

Maye said the impact Walker has on the team goes beyond his skill.

“I told him out there in the huddle one time, I think late in either the third quarter or fourth quarter, I said ‘I’m just glad to have you out here, it’s a blast,’” Maye said. “He brings so much joy to this team.”

Brown said the game was all about slowly easing Walker — who finished with six receptions for 43 yards — back into the rotation so that he can pay dividends for the Tar Heels down the line.

Walker hadn’t practiced with the offense for three weeks before Thursday and is still learning the ins and outs of specific schemes. But, on top of that, by staying optimistic throughout his ordeal, Walker's journey has set an example for the rest of the team in handling adversity.

And, after all the fans had packed up and the field had been cleared, Walker stepped back on the field for the second time that day — this time with his family by his side. 

At long last, his grandmother finally got to see him live out his childhood dream. 

“It’s heartwarming that she finally got to see me play,” Walker said. 

Black’s reaction? 

“So proud,” she said. “So proud.”

@PeaceGwen

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com