It wouldn’t be the start of the college football season if we didn’t have a reason to be furious with the NCAA. This time, it’s over the handling of the waiver for North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker. During the off-season, Walker transferred to join the Tar Heels from Kent State, a school that was his second stop.
A Charlotte native, Walker started his college career at North Carolina Central University, but the Eagles didn’t play in the fall of 2020 due to the pandemic. As a result, Walker transferred to join the Golden Flashes, where he saw action in 20 games.
Before the move to North Carolina, Walker saw a new coaching staff take over at Kent State after the 2022 season. In addition, the move closer to home seemed to make sense as Walker’s grandmother would be able to watch him play in Chapel Hill (which wasn’t possible for her heading to Ohio).
Seems like a no-brainer approval, right? Guess again. Walker had his third — and final — waiver denied on Thursday afternoon, meaning the wideout is out for the season.
North Carolina head coach Mack Brown was unhappy to put it lightly, and he didn’t hold back making his sentiments known in a strongly-worded statement.
A statement from UNC HC Mack Brown on Tez Walker pic.twitter.com/ngm5jKlL20
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 7, 2023
“I don’t know if I have ever been more disappointed in a person, a group of people, or an institution than I am with the NCAA right now,” Mack said. “It’s clear that the NCAA is about process and it couldn’t care less about the young people it’s supposed to be supporting.”
Mack continues to state that the NCAA has made a mockery of the mental health efforts it purports to support, and that the NCAA and the committee, “should be ashamed” with their decision. He closes with a strong “Shame on you, NCAA. SHAME ON YOU!”
A statement regarding today's decision about Tez Walker pic.twitter.com/nmshkHtLco
— Bubba Cunningham (@BubbaUNC) September 7, 2023
The NCAA’s flimsy argument is that as a two-time transfer, Walker has to sit out due to more stringent waiver rules. The problem is the stricter waiver guidelines didn’t go into effect until spring of 2023. Walker transferred to North Carolina in December of 2022, months before the NCAA publicly changed its policy. It’s understandable that Mack would be so frustrated and vent that anger. It’s a ridiculous situation.
