North Carolina will now be without its top wide receiver target against Pitt in a few weeks — and for the rest of the season.
UNC announced Thursday that Tez Walker‘s appeal for eligibility this season has been denied, and he will not be able to play for UNC until the 2024 season.
“We’re absolutely crushed to learn that Tez Walker’s eligibility has been denied for the season and he won’t be able to play,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said in a release. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more disappointed in a person, or group of people, than I am with the NCAA right now.”
Walker began his college career at North Carolina Central back in 2020, but as the COVID-19 pandemic brought college football to a halt, he didn’t play a down of football at NCC. He instead transferred to Kent State, where he played the last two seasons.
The NCAA deemed him a two-time transfer and ruled him ineligible for the 2023 season in August, and his appeal — which has been ongoing and resulted in him missing the season opener against South Carolina — was officially denied today.
It’s a major loss for North Carolina as Walker was expected to slot in as quarterback Drake Maye’s top receiving option this season — already garnering legitimate NFL Draft interest.
In two seasons at Kent State, Walker caught 63 passes for 1,045 yards (16.6 yards per reception) and 12 touchdowns — adding another touchdown on the ground. He was especially good as a sophomore last season, racking up 58 receptions for 921 yards (15.9 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns as one of the MAC’s top wideouts.
UNC won its season opener against South Carolina last weekend, with Maye spreading the wealth as Walker and Nate McCollum both missed the contest.
When the Tar Heels come to Pittsburgh later this month, with a Sept. 23 kickoff slated for a yet-to-be-announced time at Acrisure Stadium, they will be without Walker. It will be the first matchup since UNC defeated Pitt 42-24 at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Boohoo.
They did pretty well without him