College football fans are furious with the NCAA after the organization denied North Carolina wide receiver Devontez “Tez” Walker’s waiver for immediate eligibility this season.
Walker, a first team all-MAC selection at Kent State last season who was recently named to the preseason Biletnikoff Award Watch List, needs a waiver to play this season for the Tar Heels because he’s a second-time transfer who hasn’t graduated. Walker started his college career at North Carolina Central, but didn’t play in a game because the program’s 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He cited “stress and anxiety” from being away from his ill grandmother as well as a coaching change at Kent State as reasons for transferring to UNC, which is in his home state of North Carolina.
Walker released a statement expressing his disappointment over the decision through the school:
A statement from Tez Walker 🐏 pic.twitter.com/x0CIrWGkfG
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) August 8, 2023
The college football world couldn’t believe Walker’s waiver wasn’t granted and chimed in on social media with their outrage.
Another bad look by the NCAA denying Tez Walker’s waiver for immediate eligibility. The WR from Charlotte had transferred to UNC from Kent State to be closer to his ailing grandmother. His statement: pic.twitter.com/GKDVlxz3Ew
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 8, 2023
The @NCAA continues to be a joke https://t.co/WPLxlLygiW
— Flight Club 🐏 (@GDTBATH2017) August 8, 2023
Flat-out ridiculous of the NCAA to deny Walker's waiver, especially given the larger circumstances at play here.
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) August 8, 2023
We'd been warned that two-time transfers would have more difficulty getting waivers, but c'mon. It's absurd to deny this kid. https://t.co/AmtgAnIo7v
Let the man play! https://t.co/O3XC532rHB
— Jj Jones (@jjjones_5) August 8, 2023
Wait is he really being deemed ineligible under a set of rules not even voted on at the time he decided to transfer????? https://t.co/KsuWsOyBtM
— Brian Barbour (@briancbarbour) August 8, 2023
The structure of college athletics is bursting apart at the seams, but glad the @NCAA is focused on things it can control - like making sure this kid can’t play football this season https://t.co/FLXAU29HVz
— Professionally LOWD (@ProLOWD) August 8, 2023
The NCAA woke up this morning and realized people hadn’t focused on hating them enough with all of the realignment chaos. https://t.co/UIIpIdTDwn
— Colin Wells (@colinmw1) August 8, 2023
North Carolina coach Mack Brown told reporters that the school plans to appeal the decision. If that doesn’t work, the Tar Heels and star quarterback could be without one of their top targets this season, including in a high-profile Week 1 clash with South Carolina.
