UNC, coach Mack Brown blast NCAA after it denies eligibility for All-ACC transfer Devontez Walker: ‘Shame on you’
The NCAA on Thursday denied 2023 eligibility for North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker, drawing pointed criticism from UNC and head coach Mack Brown.
Walker, a junior from Charlotte, transferred to North Carolina this offseason from Kent State. The transfer was his second after he initially signed a letter of intent to play for East Tennessee State as a freshman.
The NCAA on Jan. 11 voted to tighten rules for two-time transfers, requiring them to “adequately document a personal need for medical or safety reasons to depart the previous school” to be eligible to play the season that they transfer. Walker made his decision to transfer on Jan. 9.
The NCAA initially ruled Walker ineligible on Aug. 8. Walker and UNC appealed the decision alongside a statement from Walker that he transferred in part to be near his ailing grandmother.
Walker also wrote that he transferred believing that he would be eligible because he did so two days before the NCAA voted to change its rules.
Walker sat North Carolina’s season-opening win over South Carolina as UNC waited for the NCAA’s appeal decision. Brown slammed the NCAA for the denial in a statement after the decision dropped Thursday:
