NCAA Reverses Course, Grants Transfer Waiver for UNC's Tez Walker

The NCAA on Friday said it received new information about University of North Carolina receiver Tez Walker which makes him eligible for a transfer waiver. 

According to a statement on the NCAA's website, staff received new information regarding Walker this week and determined the new information qualifies Walker for a transfer waiver. The information had not been made available by UNC previously, despite the school's multiple chances to do so.  

"It is unfortunate that UNC failed to provide this important information previously. While we must be careful not to compromise a student-athlete's right to privacy when it comes to sensitive issues, we want to assure the Division I membership and everyone watching how the new transfer rules are applied, that this meets the new transfer waiver standards. UNC's behavior and decision to wage a public relations campaign is inappropriate and outside the bounds of the process UNC's own staff supported. Had the UNC staff not behaved in this fashion and submitted this information weeks ago, this entire unfortunate episode could have been avoided." 

The initial denial of Walker's waiver was controversial, leading the NCAA to release a statement in September about death threats directed at NCAA committee members. 

"The NCAA is aware of violent – and possibly criminal – threats recently directed at committee members involved in regulatory decisions," the NCAA said at the time. ."The national office is coordinating with law enforcement and will continue to do whatever possible to support the volunteers who serve on these committees."

Walker, who previously was enrolled at NC Central and Kent State, believed he should be allowed to play this year for two reasons. He was unable to play at NC Central because the pandemic canceled the season, and transferred to Kent State. Walker also cites mental health reasons for his decision to transfer from Kent State to North Carolina to be closer to his Charlotte home and his grandmother.

After the initial ruling was handed down in September, UNC head coach Mack Brown expressed his frustration with the decision. 

"I don't know that I've ever been more disappointed in a person, a group of people, or an institution than I am with the NCAA right now," Brown said. "It's clear that the NCAA is about process and it couldn't care less about the young people it's supposed to be supporting. Plain and simple, the NCAA has failed Tez and his family and I've lost all faith in its ability to lead and govern our sport."