Tag: Devontez Walker

Gamecocks head coach wants NCAA to clear Tez Walker

University of South Carolina football head coach Shane Beamer is vouching for the return of UNC wide receiver Devontez Walker.

There are still no answers for the Devontez Walker eligibility saga.

Walker, who transferred from Kent State, is expected to be Drake Maye’s top target. The Charlotte native, entering his junior year, caught 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

There’s just one problem – Walker is currently ineligible to play, no thanks to the NCAA’s new rules on two-time transfers.

While the Heels have plenty of other offensive weapons – Drake Maye, Bryson Nesbit and Elijah Green, to name a few, their passing game drastically needs to replace the production of Josh Downs and Antoine Green.

UNC is just nine days out from its 2023 season opener against South Carolina (7:30 p.m., ABC) – primetime football at Bank of America Stadium. Though South Carolina will look to win its fifth matchup in six tries against the Tar Heels, it wants the best possible competition on the gridiron.

Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer even vouched for Walker’s eligibility decision to be overturned:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwVjCaruiIE/

Walker not being on the field would be an obvious advantage for the Gamecock defense, but it would no doubt be less exciting.

Just picture it – Walker and Georgia Tech transfer Nate McCollum wreaking havoc on South Carolina. Add in Tar Heel tight ends Nesbit, John Copenhaver and Kamari Morales to the equation – whoever the Gamecocks cover, the other man is going to burn them.

While UNC fans can only hope for Walker’s return, it’s nice to see the opposition sticking up for him.

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Devontez Walker ‘frustrated’ with wait on NCAA appeal

UNC football wide receiver Devontez Walker says he’s getting ‘frustrated’ waiting for the NCAA’s decision on the appeal to let him play.

All North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Devontez Walker wants to do is play football. It was just a few weeks ago when the NCAA ruled the wide receiver ineligible due to new transfer rules and  North Carolina has filed an appeal citing that Walker should be granted immediate eligibility.

But the wait continues on for Walker who is getting frustrated with the NCAA’s appeal time.

ESPN’s Andrea Adelson caught up with Walker to discuss the appeal process and how he’s handling the long wait. Walker put it as simply as he could:

“It’s frustrating,” Walker told ESPN in his first public comments since his waiver was denied. “It’s B.S. I don’t know how I will feel throughout the season if I’m not able to play.”

While North Carolina feels confident that the committee of representatives from Division I schools will approve the appeal as they present it to the NCAA, the clock is ticking on Walker’s playing status for Week 1 against South Carolina in Charlotte.

The longer this goes on, the less likely he will be able to play in that game but a report from 247Sports last week suggested that a decision could come this week.

Let’s hope Walker and the Tar Heels get good news and that he can be on the field in his hometown of Charlotte.

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ESPN tabs Nate McCollum, Devontez Walker as transfers to know

Entering the 2023 college football season, ESPN ranked UNC wide receivers Devontez Walker and Nate McCollum as two transfers to watch.

It’s not often a college football program gets two NFL-caliber wide receivers at one time.

The UNC football team was very fortunate to have that last year, as Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts) and Antoine Green (Detroit Lions) are now both playing professionally. Josh Downs finished his collegiate career fourth on UNC’s all-time receiving list (2,483 yards), while Green ranked second behind Downs with 798 yards and seven touchdowns.

Without the Downs-Green duo, who will Heisman Trophy candidate Drake Maye throw to? He’s got the country’s top tight end trio in Bryson Nesbit, John Copenhaver and Kamari Morales, but wide receivers capable of producing starting numbers will only help Maye further.

ESPN is looking at Georgia Tech transfer Nate McCollum and Kent State transfer Devontez Walker, both wide receivers, as transfers to watch this year.

Check out what ESPN’s David Hale had to say about McCollum and Walker:

“McCollum blossomed late for Georgia Tech last year and should fill Downs’ slot position nicely, while Walker was among the best outside receivers in the Group of 5 last year, catching 58 balls for 921 yards and 11 scores at Kent State,” Hale said. “The only problem is the NCAA denied Walker’s request to play immediately after transferring a second time in his career (his first came after NC Central canceled its 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic), and the Tar Heels are still awaiting an answer on an appeal of the decision.”

Hopefully Walker will return soon, but if he doesn’t, McCollum is positioned to take over the top spot. The slot receiver from Atlanta, Ga. caught 75 passes for 778 yards and four touchdowns in three years at Georgia Tech.

McCollum (and possibly Walker) will be joined in the receiver rooms by returners J.J. Jones, Andre Green Jr., Kobe Paysour and Gavin Blackwell. Those four returners combined for 1,023 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

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Social Media chooses who will score first touchdown for UNC this season

UNC football fans voted on X (formerly known as Twitter) who would score the first Tar Heel touchdown this Fall.

There’s a lot of playmakers on the UNC football team’s offense – Drake Maye, Omarion Hampton, Bryson Nesbit and Devontez Walker, to name a few.

Maye, a Heisman Trophy contender is arguably the top quarterback in the country (4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdowns a season ago). Hampton is one of four running backs who topped the 100-yard mark in 2022. Nesbit led all Tar Heel tight ends with 507 receiving yards and tied for the lead with four touchdowns, while Walker, who is currently awaiting the result of his NCAA eligibility appeal, totaled 921 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns for Kent State last season.

The wide receiving corps is pretty much brand new, due to Josh Downs and Antoine Green being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Carolina last had a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021, when Ty Chandler ran for 1,092 yards. Kamari Morales and John Copenhaver give UNC one of the deadliest tight end trios in the country.

With all the talent on offense, fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to try and guess who’d score the first touchdown:

Chip Lindsey discusses Devontez Walker situation

The UNC football program is hopeful that wide receiver Devontez Walker will be cleared.

The North Carolina Tar Heels football program received some bad news earlier in the week when the NCAA ruled wide receiver Devontez Walker ineligible for the upcoming season. Walker transferred from Kent State to North Carolina back in December and the NCAA handed out his ruling in August after a rule change back in January.

With Walker ineligible, North Carolina could be without their top wide receiver for Drake Maye. The program is appealing the decision by the NCAA in hopes of Walker becoming eligible.

And offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey believes that ‘common sense’ will prevail in the end.

“We’re counting on him playing, and we’re looking forward to it,” Lindsey said via the News & Observer. “I think that things will work out. I think common sense will prevail on that.”

The Tar Heels seem confident that Walker will be cleared in time for the Week 1 showdown against South Carolina in Charlotte. But for now, the Tar Heels might have to plan on not having him and others will have to step up in his place.

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper sends a letter to the NCAA supporting Devontez Walker

North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper sent NCAA President Charlie Baker a letter asking to grant Devontez Walker’s eligibility.

The fight to get [autotag]Devontez Walker[/autotag] to play at UNC this fall continues. This time, State Gov. Roy Cooper sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker to grant the Biletnikoff Award watch list nominee a transfer.

Tuesday morning, news came crashing down that the NCAA declined Walker’s waiver for immediate eligibility. The rejection sent shockwaves through social media, with the NCAA practices being raised to question. Many were vocal about their disapproval of the ruling, and Walker himself gave his thoughts on the decision and an in-depth look into the process.

Gov. Cooper, an alumnus of UNC and a known diehard fan, landed in a few headlines after it was revealed that the Governor sent a letter in hopes of helping Walker lace up with UNC and get a good education. Gov. Cooper then followed up by going on social media to confirm the rumors.

Fans are hopeful the NCAA will overturn this decision, and with all the outpouring of support, it would be hard not to.

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Social media reacts to NCAA ruling UNC wide receiver Devontez Walker ineligible

UNC wide receiver Devontez Walker was ruled ineligible earlier today. He is expected to be Drake Maye’s top playmaker this year.

Wide receiver Devontez Walker is expected to be a big-time playmaker for the University of North Carolina football team this upcoming season.

Walker became a reliable pass-catcher at Kent State last year, finishing 8th in the Mid-American Conference in receptions (58). He added on 921 receiving yards (48th in FBS) and 11 touchdowns (tied-5th).

Walker is a much-needed addition to the Tar Heel squad, especially with the departure of Josh Downs and Antoine Green to the NFL. His 2022 receiving yardage total is nearly 500 yards more than J.J. Jones, the returning receiver with the most yards (434).

There’s just one slight problem – Walker’s immediate eligibility was denied earlier today.

UNC head coach Mack Brown told 247Sports that Walker enrolled in Chapel Hill on Jan. 9. Two days later, the NCAA changed its rules on two-time transfers.

Brown was shocked at the NCAA’s ruling.

“When he transferred we thought it was an absolute no-brainer,” Brown told 247Sports. “He fits every reason that transfers should be eligible. And then we were really, really surprised when it was denied — and disappointed.”

Walker, recognized as a pre-season All-ACC selection last week, was even more disappointed at the ruling. He is a West Charlotte high school product – his family has plans to come see him in the Sept. 2 season opener against South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium.

““This whole experience has been extremely difficult on me and my family,” Walker told 247Sports. “One day, we feel the excitement of being closer to each other. The next day, we’re worried about whether or not I’m going to be able to play. Before, I was dealing with the stress and anxiety of being away from home. Now, I’ve been dealing with those same things through the waiver process and it’s just making things worse. This should be one of the happiest times of my life, and instead, I don’t know what’s going to happen and I’m struggling with all of it.”

Let’s see how social media, including reporters, teammates and fans, reacted to the NCAA’s unfortunate ruling on Walker:

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Devontez Walker responds to NCAA decision to decline his waiver for immediate eligibility

Tar Heel transfer Devontez Walker opens up about the NCAA decision to decline his waiver for immediate eligibility.

When it appeared that everything was smooth sailing for the North Carolina Tar Heels, news broke that the NCAA declined transfer wide receiver [autotag]Devontez ‘Tez’ Walker’s[/autotag] waiver for immediate eligibility.

The decision left fans shocked, confused, and saddened, especially when the reasoning was flawed. According to the NCAA, Walker does not meet the requirements due to multiple transfers. However, Mack Brown argues that Walker only played for Kent State after his initial choice, NC Central, canceled its season due to Covid, so he should be considered a one-time transfer.

After the breaking news, UNC released a press release including a statement from Walker on the NCAA’s decision to decline his waiver for immediate eligibility.

Walker was recently named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. So, you can rest assured that UNC will do everything possible to get Walker running routes in Carolina blue this season.

Devontez Walker Named To Biletnikoff Award Watch List

On Monday, UNC Football wide receiver Devontez Walker received preseason honor by being named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

North Carolina wide receiver [autotag]Devontez Walker[/autotag] has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced the watch list Monday, with Walker representing UNC. The Biletnikoff Award is awarded to the nation’s best catcher, with the watch list filled with wide receivers and two tight ends.

The announcement comes on the heels of numerous UNC players being named to numerous watch lists. Walker is poised for a huge year, filling the cleats left behind by 2023 NFL draftee Josh Downs.

After a brief stint with Kent State in 2021 and 2022, the four-star wide receiver transferred to UNC after finishing 8th in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for receptions (58) in 2022. That same year, Walker had 921 receiving yards for 11 touchdowns.

The Biletnikoff Award was founded in 1994. No Tar Heel has won the honor of being named the Biletnikoff Award winner. The last player to come out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and win the Biletnikoff Award is Pittsburgh Jordan Addison in 2021.

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Three Tar Heels among 247Sports’ top 20 football players heading into 2023 season

UNC football players Drake Maye, Cedric Gray and Devontez Walker were all ranked on 247Sports’ Top 20 list ahead of the 2023 campaign.

The University of North Carolina’s football team is expected to take a major leap this year – and it has all the signs pointing towards that.

The Heels return Drake Maye, arguably the best quarterback in the country, their top two tight ends in Bryson Nesbit and Kamari Morales, plus a transfer who will certainly boost the wide receiving corps. Linebacker Cedric Gray, who anchored one of 2022’s most underperforming units in all of college football, is gaining some NFL Draft hype ahead of his senior campaign. After a year with uncertainty at running back, Carolina brings back its three leading rushers from a season ago.

Just over a month removed from its Sept. 2 season-opener against neighboring rival University of South Carolina, UNC has three players amongst 247Sports’ top 20 ACC players.

Gray slots in at 16. The Charlotte native led Power Five schools and was third in the entire FBS with 144 tackles (82 solo), including a 14-tackle, 1-interception performance in the record-setting, back-and-forth victory over App State.

Here’s what 247Sports’ Chris Hummer had to say about Gray:

“Gray does everything well. He’s a sure tackler, an above-average in coverage for an off-ball linebacker and obviously does well in the box. The former four-star recruit is one of the most balanced and effective defenders in the country.”

Kent State transfer Devontez Walker landed at 11 on Hummer’s list. He’s a guy Carolina fans haven’t seen play in baby blue yet, but has all the signs of being the perfect Josh Downs replacement. Walker nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last season for the Golden Flashes, catching 58 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdown.

Here’s what Hummer had to say about Walker:

“Walker is a proven deep threat (29th nationally in catches of 30-plus yards), but also showed a lot of shiftiness in the open field with 12 forced missed tackles on the year. Now that he’s set to play with Drake Maye in a pass-heavy offense, his numbers could explode.”

Maye is, without question, the top player on Hummer’s list. The Huntersville (N.C.) native finished fourth in the FBS with 4,321 passing yards last year, led the Tar Heels with 937 rushing yards and played his way into Heisman Trophy contention. Carolina bolted out to a 9-1 start under Maye before losing its final four games, which included its first ACC championship game appearance since 2015. Maye showed he’s a player with poise in the pocket, who can scramble away from pressure and throw on the run, or evade defenders and break away for a long run.

Here’s what Hummer had to say about Maye:

“It’ll be interesting to see how Maye performs in a more pro-style system in 2023 with Chip Lindsey in as offensive coordinator. Either way, Maye seems like a borderline lock to be drafted in the top 10 next spring.”

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