Tez Walker excited his grandmother got to watch him play football

North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker finally got to suit up and play football this season and his grandmother saw it happen.

Walker was ruled eligible last week in a much discussed situation when he transferred back close to home. He began at NC Central before going to Kent State, but NC Central’s season was canceled, which was the basis of the argument.

But Walker wanted to be close to his grandmother this season and she finally saw him play on the field. He was happy, to say the least.

“It’s heartwarming that she finally got to see me play,” Walker said. “She was never able to do that in high school … Just glad she’s able to now.”

In the 40-7 win over Syracuse, Walker got his feet wet and caught six passes for 43 yards.

As a sophomore in 2022, Walker started all 12 games and earned first-team All-MAC honors. He caught 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

“I just felt blessed to be out there,” Walker said. “My teammates have been in my corner since I arrived. Regardless if it’s on the field or off, my teammates are there for me. I’m truly blessed.”

Head coach Mack Brown didn’t want to throw the kitchen sink at Walker, who played in front of close friends and family.

“We wanted to work him in,” Brown said. “We didn’t want him to be overwhelmed with being thrown out there, then the fans responded to him so well because the story is so important. I don’t know if I could have handled it with all the emotion going on, and I thought he did so well.”

Tez Walker makes UNC debut in front of grandmother

Walker released a statement after the NCAA ruled that he is eligible for the rest of the season:

“I’m so excited and thankful that the NCAA has granted my eligibility to play this season,” the statement read. “This hasn’t been easy, but I’m looking forward to putting this in the past and moving forward. I always knew UNC was a special place, but it’s proved it over and over again throughout the last few months. I’ve received so much support from the University, the athletics department, my coaches, the staff and my teammates.” 

Walker was able to feel the love from the fans before he even made his Tar Heels debut.

“Most of all, I’ve felt so much love from the fans,” Walker said. “Whether it was people trying to pick me up on social media of fans chanting for me at the games, I’ve felt supported and I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to me,” Walker said. “I can’t wait to put on that jersey, run out of the tunnel, and play in Kenan Stadium. I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time and now it will be a reality. See everyone on Saturday.”