His tragic journey began when he had to decommit from ETSU due to an ACL injury. The next football season was immediately postponed because of COVID-19. Walker’s eligibility was investigated by several college transfers just as Tez was beginning to feel at home at UNC.
Apparently, the ravenous tar heel was unaffected by these hardships. In just eight games, his abilities attracted the attention of scouts and fans.
Earlier this year, the University of North Carolina suffered a severe setback at the hands of the NCAA. Devontez Walker was found to be ineligible based on the two-time transfer rule. Fans of the Tar Heels from all over the world came together to demand that the NCAA hear the athlete’s special situation. Proponents contended that despite his two transfers, he only ever played for one team.
Among Walker’s allies was Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina, who corresponded with the NCAA president. The letter mentioned both technical and emotional/personal grounds. Among other things, Governor Cooper emphasized the distinction between the new variables COVID posed to the two-time transfer requirements.
Nevertheless, it was a gamble for UNC to create such a sensation for a three-time transfer who had scarcely been shown off before. Just in time, his ineligibility was removed after he had to miss the first few games. Tez finished the previous eight games with 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven scores, hitting the field like a cyclone.
