The NCAA ruled Thursday that North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker is ineligible for the 2023 college football season in a huge blow to the team’s efforts.
Walker began his college career at North Carolina Central in 2020 but didn’t play due to the pandemic. He then headed to Kent State where he played for two seasons. Then he transferred to North Carolina this offseason. However, the NCAA’s rules for two-time transfers were applied to him even though he never played for his original school because the season was canceled.
Head coach Mack Brown, who won a national title with Texas, did not mince words in his statement about the decision.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been more disappointed in a person, a group of people or an institution than I am with the NCAA right now,” said Brown. “It’s clear that the NCAA … couldn’t care less about the young people it’s supposed to be supporting.
“I’ve lost all faith in its ability to lead and govern the sport. They’ve messed so many things up as it relates to college football and now their failures have negatively impacted the life of one of our own.
“The decision-makers at the NCAA & the committee should be ashamed of themselves for doing this to a young man. We’ve got complete rosters overhauled through transfer portal, players playing in their 8th year of college, at their 4th school. Yet, Tez Walker, who only played football at one school, isn’t eligible. It makes no sense and never will. Shame on you, NCAA. SHAME ON YOU!”
A statement from UNC HC Mack Brown on Tez Walker pic.twitter.com/ngm5jKlL20
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 7, 2023
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.