Inside The Panthers

North Carolina Loses Key Weapon for Pitt Game

North Carolina will be without a crucial player against the Pitt Panthers.

Stephen Thompson

North Carolina Loses Key Weapon for Pitt Game
North Carolina Loses Key Weapon for Pitt Game /
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PITTSBURGH -- North Carolina will have to face the Pitt Panthers in Week 4 without one of their top incoming transfer wide receivers. 

Pitt surely breathed a sigh of relief when it saw the news that Devontez Walker, an outstanding transfer wideout from Kent State, would miss all of the 2023 season after the NCAA had ruled him ineligible following the second transfer of his career. Walker had been ruled ineligible in August, originally, but officially denied his appeal this week. 

“We’re absolutely crushed to learn that Tez Walker’s eligibility has been denied for the season and he won’t be able to play,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said in a statement. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more disappointed in a person, or group of people, than I am with the NCAA right now.”

Walker was one of the most important additions of the offseason for quarterback Drake Maye and the Tar Heel offense, which lost so many major contributors from last year's explosive passing game. 

He caught 63 passes for 1,045 yards and 13 touchdowns over two years with the Golden Flashes after transferring there from North Carolina Central. 

Maye didn't seem to miss Walker much in the season opener against South Carolina, when North Carolina rolled to a two-touchdown victory. The Panthers and Tar Heels are slated to kick off ACC play at Acrisure Stadium on September 23, with a kickoff time and television designation to be determined. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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