Tag: Devontez Walker

Tez Walker selected No. 113 by Baltimore Ravens in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens select Tez Walker out of North Carolina in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

From “Free Tez” chants for wrongfully being sidelined to lining up on Sundays, [autotag]Devontez Walker[/autotag] story just got better after being selected with the No. 113  pick in 2024 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Walker won’t have to leap over any eligibility huddles anymore, finding his new home with the Ravens. Walker might’ve not been Tar Heel long, but the fight he endured just to get on the field stamped his legacy and brought the nation together.

The Ravens are a great fit for Walker, as he should serve as a reliable target for Lamar Jackson who is coming off another MVP season.

Walker first showed his skills at Kent University, having a breakout sophomore season with 921 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns (Most in MAC that season). The four-star recruit landed with UNC following the season, and despite missing significant time due he still finished seventh in the ACC for receiving touchdowns (7).

In the eight games Walker did play in, he showcased his elite footwork, snagging 41 catches for 699 receiving yards. He had a monstrous game against Virginia, catching 11 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. He had an even more dominate game in the win against Duke, exploding for 162 yards on seven catches (23.1 YPG).

Walker becomes the third Tar Heel drafted and went just a few picks after Cedric Gray.

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Cedric Gray, Tez Walker amongst best remaining NFL Draft prospects on Day 2

Will Cedric Gray and Tez Walker’s strong football careers at UNC land them decent spots in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Day 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25 was no shortage of excitement.

Several teams found their quarterbacks of the future, the Carolina Panthers traded up to get their next big receiver and the Atlanta Falcons made a head-scratching selection at eighth overall, selecting Michael Penix Jr. after committing $100+ million to Kirk Cousins in the offseason.

One of the top names off the draft board was UNC football legend Drake Maye, who was selected third overall by the New England Patriots. Maye joins a storied AFC East franchise looking to get back to its early 2000s-glory.

Maye isn’t the only former North Carolina Tar Heel expected to be chosen in the NFL Draft.

Just moments ahead of Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 26, UNC linebacker Cedric Gray and wide receiver Tez Walker are ranked amongst USA Today’s 125 best remaining NFL Draft prospects.

Gray, ranked 88th, earned First Team All-ACC Honors in each of the past two seasons. He led North Carolina with 121 tackles in 2023, one of two Tar Heels to hit the century mark (Power Echols), while also sacking opposing quarterbacks five times, generating seven quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, plus forcing a team-high two fumbles and recovering a team-high two.

Walker, ranked 109th, is one of the more underrated wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. He only played in eight games for the Tar Heels last year, but led them with seven receiving touchdowns while adding 699 receiving yards (second-most). Walker’s season was shortened due to initially being ruled ineligible, a decision which was eventually flipped.

According to Gray’s NFL Draft Scouting report, there’s a decent chance he gets selected tonight. If Walker isn’t selected today, he’ll definitely be gone by tomorrow.

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NCAA Board says yes to immediate eligibility for players who transfer multiple times

This ruling just made it significantly easier for multi-time transfers in college sports.

One of the biggest early-season storylines in college football last year surrounded the UNC football program.

Devontez Walker, a wide receiver who transferred in from Kent State, was denied eligibility because of transferring multiple times (NC Central, Kent State). This was tough – not only because of what he would bring to the Tar Heels with his talent, but because of how other transfers in the portal have been treated.

On Monday, April 22, student-athletes across college sports received some very encouraging news.

The NCAA Board approved immediate eligibility for multi-time transfers, helping the case of future student-athletes who want to transfer twice, like Walker and former college quarterback JT Daniels. This decision also prevents future NIL penalties, like previous ones Miami (FL) encountered with the Cavinder twins.

I am glad the NCAA decided to reverse course, but its ruling makes you wonder: how would this ruling have affected the North Carolina Tar Heels last season?

I don’t think it would have mattered much, as UNC won every game without Walker, but this ruling coming in 2023 could’ve made our offense that much more dangerous.

This ruling will, however, help North Carolina tremendously this year.

Joshua Harris, a Roxboro, NC-based defensive tackle who committed to the Tar Heels on Sunday, April 21, previously transferred from NC State to Ole Miss. Harris, a 6’4″, 325-pound mammoth of a defensive tackle, is crucial to the defensive line help UNC head coach Mack Brown has been seeking.

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Patriots go heavy on offense in ESPN’s latest three-round mock draft

The Patriots came away with three offensive players in ESPN’s latest three-round mock draft

Multiple players have been mocked to the New England Patriots over the last few weeks in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 NFL draft.

ESPN’s Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr. put a three-round mock draft together, with Kiper taking New England’s third overall pick and Yates taking the second (No. 34) and third-round (No. 68) picks for the organization.

Quarterback has been a position of focus for the Patriots throughout the pre-draft process. Wide receiver has been an area identified as a need as well.

Kiper has New England selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall, while Yates has the team taking Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman 34th overall and UNC wide receiver Devontez Walker at No. 68.

The Patriots have been connected with both Maye and Walker, as they attended their pro day.

Kiper made his case for Maye with the organization’s first draft selection:

I don’t see the Patriots trading back, even if they have needs at several other positions. Taking Maye secures their future at the NFL’s most important position.

Yates took the offensive approach to the draft and gave his reasoning for taking two wide receivers with back-to-back picks:

Yes, I already gave Keon Coleman to the Patriots in Round 2. But I’m double-dipping at wide receiver — and setting up Drake Maye with a familiar target in Walker, whose length and speed would help open up this offense.

New England needs top-tier talent at both the quarterback and wide receiver positions. Double-dipping at receiver makes sense, especially if Maye’s college teammate is still on the board. Surrounding the franchise quarterback with playmakers is extremely important, and it isn’t something the team did under the previous regime.

These selections would immediately ignite the offense, as the Patriots need to catch up with the rest of the AFC. Time will tell what they do, but this would certainly be a good starting point.

Watch: 5 players the Lions shouldn’t draft in 2024

Watch: 5 players the Lions shouldn’t draft in 2024 from Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon

We talk a lot about the players we want the Detroit Lions to pick, or prospects we think the team might actually select later this month in the 2024 NFL draft. This time around, we’re going over five prospects that sometimes get projected to the Lions that I don’t want Detroit GM Brad Holmes to draft.

In conjunction with the Detroit Lions Podcast, I laid out five realistic prospects for the Lions that I am not interested in drafting. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re not good prospects and won’t become good NFL players, but there are concerns about each—be it injury history, inexperience or fit with this Lions regime—that makes me want to look elsewhere.

The audio-only version of the show is available via your favorite podcast provider.

Does this mean Tez Walker could play for his hometown Carolina Panthers?

Can you imagine seeing former UNC star wide receiver Tez Walker don a Carolina Panthers uniform this fall?

It’s tough when a football team loses its two starting wide receivers, particularly when those two have NFL-level talent.

Such was the case for the North Carolina Tar Heels last season, who tried to replace the production of NFL draftees Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts) and Antoine Green (Detroit Lions). UNC sported a couple of returners, highlighted by JJ Jones, but no one on Downs’ skill level.

North Carolina hit the transfer portal and found a standout receiver in Tez Walker, the in-state native who spent his first two years at Kent State.

Even while dealing with eligibility issues for the Tar Heels’ first couple games, Walker led UNC with seven receiving touchdowns and finished second with 699 receiving yards. This output caught the attention of several NFL scouts, with Walker returning the favor by declaring for the NFL Draft.

While we’ll have to wait two weeks to see who selects Walker, there’s a chance he could suit up for his hometown Carolina Panthers.

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Carolina would honestly be a great situation for Walker, as he’d join a team with 2023 top overall pick Bryce Young and a pair of solid, veteran receivers in Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. There’s a chance Walker could start immediately, as Jonathan Mingo is currently on Injured Reserve with a foot injury.

The best part of playing for the Panthers, however, would be Walker’s ability to suit up in front of his family and friends.

The NFL is a massive, money-making machine that can get too bright for players. Getting to take some stress off by playing in front of his hometown crew, I imagine, would be a dream scenario for Walker.

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Jaguars to host UNC WR Devontez Walker on visit, per report

The Jaguars have reportedly shown interest in Drake Maye’s favorite touchdown target.

The Jacksonville Jaguars met with North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker prior to his pro day workout and will host him on a Top 30 visit, according to SportsKeeda draft insider Tony Pauline.

Walker, 22, received attention in 2023 after he was initially deemed ineligible to play for the Tarheels after the NCAA ruled he was a two-time transfer due to his previous stints at North Carolina Central and Kent State, despite never playing at NCC due to COVID-19.

After missing four games, Walker was reinstated for the remainder of the year. In eight games with UNC, Walker recorded 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.

At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Walker measured in at 6’2, 193 pounds and recorded a 4.36 40-yard dash with a 40.5-inch vertical jump. He’s been projected by most to be a Day 2 selection in April.

Other players set to visit the Jaguars ahead of the 2024 NFL draft reportedly include Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland and Ole Miss cornerback Deantre Prince.

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Report: Patriots met with UNC standout WR during pro day

The Patriots met with one of Drake Maye’s favorite receiving targets

The New England Patriots met with North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker while in Chapel Hill for the UNC pro day on Thursday, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline.

Walker was a key contributor for the Tar Heels during his time in Chapel Hill. He recorded 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns last season. His incredible playmaking ability has been evident throughout his entire collegiate career. He recorded 58 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022.

UNC quarterback Drake Maye has been linked to the Patriots throughout the draft process. Walker is a player who could still be on the board when the Patriots draft in the later rounds. Pairing him and Maye together could make the transition to the NFL easier for the quarterback especially.

This is a critical draft for the Patriots. They have certainly done their homework on the quarterback position, but it is very evident they want to grab a playmaking wide receiver as well.

Broncos GM George Paton went to QB Drake Maye’s pro day

The Broncos are taking a close look at all of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos were represented at the University of North Carolina’s pro day on Thursday featuring star quarterback Drake Maye.

Broncos general manager George Paton and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb were among Denver’s personnel at the pro day, according to the Charlotte Observer‘s Mike Kaye. Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi were also in attendance, according to the Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel.

UNC has several draft prospects this year — receiver Devontez Walker, linebacker Cedric Gray and defensive lineman Myles Murphy among them — but none of them are as high profile as Maye.

Maye is widely considered one of the top-three quarterbacks in this year’s class and it would not be surprising if he ends up being a top-three pick in April.

Denver also met with Maye at the NFL combine earlier this offseason.

“It was awesome to meet with Coach [Sean] Payton,” Maye said on March 1. “I think any time you have one of the great offensive minds in [the room] — meeting with him was pretty cool.”

The Broncos do not pick until 12th overall, so if they want to land Maye, they will need to trade. Our first NFL mock draft of the offseason had Denver moving up to pick No. 3 to select Maye after a trade with the New England Patriots.

This year’s NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Tez Walker ties for fifth-fastest 40-yard dash time at NFL Combine

UNC football fans knew what Devontez Walker could do in a Tar Heel uniform. The whole NFL world was put on notice at Saturday’s NFL Combine.

Even though he only played eight games for the UNC football team last season, it became clear pretty quickly that Devontez Walker was going to be something special in Chapel Hill.

Walker, who dealt with an NCAA ineligibility ruling throughout September, was given the all-clear in early October. He only had six catches for 43 yards in his first game as a Tar Heel, but exploded for 143 yards and three touchdowns on just six catches against Miami.

Walker finished second on North Carolina with 699 receiving yards, a number that could’ve been higher had he been allowed to play from Week 1.

With all that Walker did in a UNC uniform, it’s no surprise he’s a coveted pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He’s actually currently at the NFL Combine, trying to show teams why they should draft him.

Walker made a great case on Saturday, March 2 for being a first-round pick, as he ran a 4.36-second, 40-yard dash. This tied him for fifth overall with Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett.

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If we’re looking at wide receivers alone, Walker’s time was fourth-fastest. Ahead of him were LSU’s Brian Thomas, Texas’ Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, who set a new overall record for fastest combine time.

Whichever team selects Walker in April’s NFL Draft is going to be very happy.

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