UNC’s Tar Heel Devontez Walker dashed from the sidelines to the 2024 NFL combine. After being benched earlier this year, the college athlete ran an impressive 40-yard dash helping land him as a top performing wide receiver. This stunning performance comes just months after nearly losing his NCAA eligibility which threatened to count him out. The Charlotte, NC native’s college football career got off to a rough start to say the least. His journey to the Lucas Oil Stadium alongside 320 other prospects has been nothing short of challenging.
The series of unfortunate events kicked off with an ACL injury forcing him to de-commit from ETSU. Immediately after, the following football season was canceled due to COVID. Just when Tez thinks he will settle in at UNC, a number of college transfers vetted Walker’s eligibility.
Evidently, these adversities had no deterrence to the hungry tar heel. His skills commanded the attention of scouts, and fans in merely 8 games.
UNC Rolled the Dice on Devontez Walker
The NCAA delivered a major blow to the University of North Carolina earlier this year. It was determined that Devontez Walker was ineligible according to the two-time transfer rule. Tar Heels supporters near and far rallied for the NCAA to hear the athlete’s unique circumstances. Supporters argued he only played for one team although he transferred twice.
Walker’s team of supporters included North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper who wrote a letter to the president of the NCAA. The letter pointed out emotional/personal reasons as well as technical. Governor Cooper made a point to distinguish the new variables COVID posed to the two-time transfer rules amongst other circumstances.
None the less, causing such a stir for a previously injured three-time transfer that had been barely showcased was a roll of the dice for UNC. After having to sit out the first few games, his ineligibility was lifted in the nick of time. Tez hit the field like a tornado finishing the last 8 games with 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tez Is Up Next
Walker’s need for speed at the 2024 NFL combine made it clear he has no place on the sidelines. The wide receiver caused some buzz after zooming through the 40-yard dash in an eye-blinking 4.36 seconds. Then, landed a whopping broad jump at eleven feet two inches.
The swift athlete made his presence known as he trailed top prospects like Adonai Mitchell in both the 40-yard dash and the broad jump. This comes as a breath of fresh air to the team as they attempt to put a recent scandal behind them. 2024 was off to a tragic start for the Tar Heels as some players were involved in a fatal car crash involving underaged drinking. Walker had no involvement in the incident.
He is a beam of hope for UNC. Overall, his strength is speed, with a top weakness in route running. The Next Gen Stats total score rank him seventh among wide receivers with an overall good standing.
Devontez Walker’s season did not come without its challenges. He continues to demonstrate why the fight to get him off the sidelines and to the combine was worthwhile. This hungry young athlete certainly has a bright future. Who doesn’t love a good tale of the underdog?
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