NFL Draft

UNC WR Tez Walker to Skip Bowl Game, Declare for 2024 NFL Draft

The Tar Heels' star receiver is making the early jump to the pros after a stellar 2023 season.

Luke Easterling

UNC WR Tez Walker to Skip Bowl Game, Declare for 2024 NFL Draft
UNC WR Tez Walker to Skip Bowl Game, Declare for 2024 NFL Draft /

One of the top wide receiver prospects in college football is getting an early start on his preparations for the next level.

North Carolina wide receiver Devontez "Tez" Walker is leaving school early to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, making his announcement via social media Tuesday.

The star pass-catcher noted in his statement that he will also be opting out of the Tar Heels' bowl game.

Walker missed the first four weeks of the 2023 season waiting for the NCAA to reverse their initial ruling on his eligibility. Once he finally did hit the field, he made up for lost time, making an immediate impact for UNC's offense and putting up impressive numbers.

With a strong combination of size and athleticism, Walker is one of the more intriguing prospects in a deep and talented wide receiver class, which could end up making him a steal depending on when he comes off the board in next year's draft.

Published
Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

Home/Latest News