Tez Walker allowed to play after NCAA reverses decision on WR - ESPN

North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker will be eligible to play in 2023 after new information emerged that the NCAA said school officials «failed to provide» previously.

Walker is a transfer from Kent State, and his initial eligibility for the 2023 season was denied because he had transferred twice. His case became a flashpoint for NCAA rules, in part because Walker hadn't played during the COVID-19 season of 2020 at North Carolina Central, which did not have a season because of the pandemic.

Thursday's announcement did not specify what the new information was that prompted the NCAA to reverse its decision. Walker missed No. 14 North Carolina's first four games, which the NCAA intimated in a statement could have been avoided if the university staff had «submitted this information weeks ago.»

Even with Walker's eligibility confirmed after months of public bickering, NCAA officials and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham sparred publicly in statements Thursday in the wake of the decision. The NCAA said the «entire unfortunate episode could have been avoided» with timely submission of materials. Cunningham responded that UNC put forward the information as it was made available and said the NCAA «delayed making the correct decision.»

The school posted a video to social media later Thursday that showed Tar Heels coach Mack Brown delivering the news to Walker about his eligibility.

The moment <a href=«https://twitter.com/DevontezWalker?ref_src=» https:>@DevontezWalker

found out he's eligible