The NCAA has denied the University of North Carolina’s appeal efforts for immediate eligibility for transfer receiver Devontez Walker, a decision that led to criticism Thursday from both Tar Heels football coach Mack Brown and athletic director Bubba Cunningham.
The school announced the decision less than a week after Walker roamed the sideline but didn’t play during the 17th-ranked Tar Heels’ season-opening victory against South Carolina. Brown went public last month about the school’s efforts to appeal the NCAA’s decision denying a waiver allowing the Kent State transfer to play immediately.
In a release announcing the decision, Brown capped a lengthy and blunt statement this way: “Shame on you, NCAA. SHAME ON YOU!”
NCAA rules generally allow players to transfer freely once, but the association regards Walker as a two-time transfer because he enrolled at N.C. Central before ending up at Kent State. The Eagles didn’t play football because of the COVID-19 pandemic during Walker’s time at N.C. Central, so he has played only for Kent State, where he spent two seasons.
He enrolled at North Carolina in January, days before a rule change restricting free movement by two-time transfers.