Mack Brown, the University of North Carolina football coach, expressed his frustration with the NCAA after the organization denied the Tarheels’ appeal for immediate eligibility for transfer receiver Devontez Walker. Brown’s scathing statement came shortly after Walker was unable to play in the team’s season-opening victory against South Carolina. According to NCAA rules, players are typically allowed to transfer once, but Walker is considered a two-time transfer due to his enrollment at North Carolina Central before moving to Kent State. However, since Walker didn’t play football during his time at North Carolina Central due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he has only played for Kent State.
Mack Brown went scorched earth on the NCAA after they denied its appeal for Tez Walker
Tez Walker has been denied eligibility by the NCAA for the entirety of the 2023 football season
Walker enrolled at UNC in January, just before a rule change that restricted free movement for two-time transfers. As a result, he must spend a year in residence at Chapel Hill before becoming eligible to play next year. This requirement was the norm for transfers before the current era of free player movement through the transfer portal. “It’s clear that the NCAA is more focused on process than supporting the young people it’s supposed to serve,” said Brown. He criticized the NCAA for its failures in college football and the negative impact those failures have had on Walker’s life.
The NCAA’s decision has faced widespread criticism, including from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. The organization’s refusal to grant Walker’s eligibility has been viewed as undermining fair treatment of athletes and eroding public confidence in NCAA leadership. UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham stated that the NCAA has denied Walker’s clearance eight times, further highlighting the frustration with the organization’s decisions.
The 17th ranked University of North Carolina Tarheels face Appalachian State on Saturday
The NCAA released a statement addressing the eligibility-review process but did not comment on specific cases. The Division I Council established earlier this year that multiple-time transfers must provide documentation of injury, illness, mental health concerns, or safety issues to be granted eligibility. Stephen LaPorta, chairman of the committee handling UNC’s final appeal, mentioned the increased mental health resources and medical support required by member schools. These resources are available to student-athletes who transfer multiple times and do not receive immediate eligibility, helping them acclimate to their new schools before competing the following year.
UNC has cited Walker’s mental health as one of the factors in their case for his eligibility. Additionally, Walker transferred to be closer to his family, particularly his grandmother who has multiple ailments and has been unable to travel to watch him play. Despite the setback, Walker’s teammates and coaches have shown their support. The team celebrated their victory over South Carolina by giving Walker the game ball, and star quarterback Drake Maye wore Walker’s jersey backwards during postgame interviews to make a statement.
Brown denounced the NCAA’s handling of the situation, criticizing them for speaking about mental health and student-athlete welfare while failing to support individuals like Walker. The controversy surrounding Walker’s eligibility has highlighted ongoing issues within college athletics and the need for reform within the NCAA.
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