Mack Brown surprised, disappointed by NCAA’s decision on Tez Walker

The NCAA recently denied the transfer waiver of North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker, meaning he won’t be able to play immediately. This led to an outcry of support, including from head coach Mack Brown.

As Brown explained, it should have been obvious that Walker deserved a waiver to play immediately.

“When he transferred, we thought it was an absolute no-brainer because he fits every reason that transfers should be eligible,” Mack Brown said. “And then we were really, really surprised when it was denied, and disappointed.”

Walker transferred to North Carolina from Kent State to be closer to home while his grandmother battles illness. Being away from home while she battled was causing him stress and he wanted her to be able to see him play in person. On top of that, even though this is his second transfer, he only actually played at Kent State.

The fact that his waiver was denied caught a lot of people, including Mack Brown, by surprise.

“It is,” Brown said, “When the NCAA right now is doing so much for the care of the student-athlete, mental health, financially, for parents, that that’s why this fits in all the group of things that they’re talking about helping student-athletes with. And that’s why we feel this should be a no-brainer and we need it done sooner than later because it’s really stressful for him.”

The one-time transfer rule allows players to transfer without sitting out a season. However, upon transferring for a second time, they need a waiver to be immediately eligible. In March, the NCAA decided to crack down on these waivers, limiting them and setting up strict guidelines to meet. There are three exceptions, including physical or mental health, exigent circumstances outside an athlete’s control, and assertions involving diagnosed education impacting disabilities.

“And it’s not about us,” Mack Brown added. “It’s not about playing, it’s not about practice. It’s about him and his mental health.”

Mack Brown added that North Carolina is continuing to work Tez Walker as the team’s number one wide receiver because he expects Walker to become eligible soon.

Tez Walker responded to his waiver being denied

Following the NCAA’s decision to deny Tez Walker’s waiver, he released a statement on the process.

“For some time now, I’ve been working with the administration at the University of North Carolina to be eligible for this season. When I made the decision to transfer from Kent St. back to my home area at UNC, I did so thinking I would be able to play this year. The way the rules were set up at the time, we knew we’d have to file a waiver as a two-time transfer, and in previous years, those waivers were being granted. But, after entering the portal and enrolling in classes, the NCAA voted to change the rule on two-time transfers and denied my waiver. We’ve filed an appeal and are waiting on a ruling, but I wanted to make sure everyone knew my story, so they could understand why I made the decision I did and why I feel I should be eligible this season,” Walker wrote in part.

“The first, and main, reason I decided to transfer from Kent St. was the stress and anxiety I was feeling being away from home, while my grandmother deals with health issues. She is my rock, my everything, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her…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 entire statement can be read, here.