Tez Walker, Mack Brown release statements after NCAA approves eligibility waiver

North Carolina received good news on Thursday morning as the Tar Heels were informed that transfer wideout Devontez “Tez” Walker would be immediately eligible in 2023 after being initially deemed ineligible. He and head coach Mack Brown took a brief victory lap via statements posted by the team on social media.

Walker shared his excitement to finally suit up and play for North Carolina and intimated he’ll be on the field this weekend when the Tar Heels host Syracuse. He thanked the UNC community for having his back as he and the football program went back and forth with the NCAA over his eligibility.

“I’m so excited and thankful that the NCAA has granted my eligibility to play this season. 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. Most of all, I’ve felt so much love from the fans. 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. 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,” Walker said. “See everyone on Saturday.”

Walker missed a third of the regular season for North Carolina as the NCAA deemed he was not eligible for a waiver to have immediate eligibility as a second-time transfer. Walker, Brown and North Carolina contended that because Walker didn’t play a game at his first school due to Covid before transferring, he should be considered a first-time transfer and thus be eligible.

Various appeals and salvos of statements fired back and forth yielded nothing and seemingly left Walker to practice and prepare for 2024 — he also would’ve been eligible to play in a bowl game for North Carolina.

Thursday’s news changes that and the outlook for North Carolina. Brown emphasized that letting Walker get back to football is the best outcome for all parties involved.

“We were thrilled to find out earlier today that Tez Walker has been granted his immediate eligibility and will be available for the remainder of the 2023 season. We’re so happy for Tez. Everything that’s transpired over the last few months has been with the sole purpose of helping and supporting him, and now he’s going to have a chance to live his dream. We want to express our gratitude to the people at UNC who have worked tirelessly to assist Tez. We never gave up. We also want to thank the NCAA for being willing to re-examine Tez’s case, and ultimately deciding to grant him his eligibility. This is, and always has been, about the welfare of this young man, and we can’t wait to see him on the field doing what he loves to do,” Brown said.

The NCAA said North Carolina had more information that changed the decision regarding Walker

“It is unfortunate that UNC failed to provide this important information previously. While we must be careful not to compromise a student-athlete’s right to privacy when it comes to sensitive issues, we want to assure the Division I membership and everyone watching how the new transfer rules are applied, that this meets the new transfer waiver standards. UNC’s behavior and decision to wage a public relations campaign is inappropriate and outside the bounds of the process UNC’s own staff supported. Had the UNC staff not behaved in this fashion and submitted this information weeks ago, this entire unfortunate episode could have been avoided,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a statement.