UNC Football

North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Tez Walker has been ruled out for Saturday's season opener against South Carolina as he awaits a decision from the NCAA on his eligibility for the 2023 campaign.

"I can't express my disappointment in the NCAA strong enough," Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown said of the situation, per ESPN's Andrea Adelson. "The NCAA has been reluctant to consider the real issues of mental health, COVID and rule changes that have impacted Tez's personal journey."

North Carolina WR Tez Walker will not play tomorrow as he awaits a decision from the NCAA on his eligibility this season. Statement from Mack Brown pic.twitter.com/7GWCBAefFI

— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) September 1, 2023

North Carolina is expecting the NCAA to review Walker's case next week, according to Adelson.

The NCAA denied Walker's waiver to play the 2023 season as a two-time transfer last month, and the Tar Heels decided to appeal the decision, citing multiple reasons why the wide receiver should be immediately eligible.

Among those reasons is the fact that Walker did not play his freshman campaign at NC Central because the school canceled the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Walker, in search of somewhere to play, then transferred to Kent State.

North Carolina believes Walker's decision to transfer to Kent State should not count against him in terms of his eligibility for 2023.

Additionally, Walker dealt with mental health challenges during his two seasons at Kent State and ended up seeing the team doctor to discuss those issues before deciding to transfer to North Carolina.

Walker grew up in Charlotte and transferring to North Carolina allows him to play closer to home. He has continued to receive mental health counseling since joining the Tar Heels.

It has become more difficult for two-time transfers to be granted immediate eligibility after the NCAA voted in January to restrict the number of waivers given out to second-time transfers in order to prevent players from returning to the portal.

Players who transfer twice can "receive immediate eligibility if they have a physical injury or mental health condition that pushed them to transfer from a school."

Led by quarterback Drake Maye, the Tar Heels are expected to be one of the best teams in the ACC this season. Having Walker available would be a solid boost to the team's chances of claiming the conference crown.

Count North Carolina as one of the schools that will vote against the additions of Stanford, California and SMU to the ACC.

The university's board of trustees released the following statement on Thursday:

Full statement from the #UNC Board of Trustees opposing ACC expansion.

This is getting interesting… pic.twitter.com/8SerfFsBew

— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) September 1, 2023

That comes in the wake of The Athletic's Stewart Mandel and Nicole Auerbach reporting earlier on Thursday that the ACC presidents would meet Friday to "discuss and potentially vote" the possible additions of Stanford, Cal and SMU.

Conference realignment has been the theme of the offseason in college sports, with Washington and Oregon joining USC and UCLA in the Big Ten and Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado heading to the Big 12.

The result has been the pending death of the Pac-12, and more changes could be coming, with the ACC's future now firmly in the spotlight. Namely, will the conference also expand, or could it eventually lose its most prominent schools?

Rumors have suggested that Florida State is seeking either a new conference or a larger portion of the revenue pie to stick around the ACC, while the SEC lurks as a potentially appealing destination for both the Seminoles and schools like Clemson or North Carolina if the ACC lags behind its competitors in the revenue department.

Expansion has been offered up as a potential salve to that concern.

As Mandel and Auerbach reported, ESPN "must pay a full pro-rata share for any new members" but "multiple conference sources said SMU is willing to accept no ACC media rights revenue for at least seven years, and Stanford and Cal would begin at around 30 percent, freeing up a pool of more than $70 million of new money to be distributed among the current members starting in 2024-25."

That, in turn, could be "used to reward schools for on-field performance in a new revenue-distribution system, helping the schools that invest heavily in football (such as Florida State and Clemson) to work toward closing the financial gap with their peers in the SEC and Big Ten."

North Carolina, however, doesn't seem swayed by the possible benefits being offered. It remains to be seen if the other ACC schools will be more enticed.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye are expected to be the headliners of the 2024 NFL draft, but they reportedly would've gotten top billing this past year as well.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, "multiple scouts" said they would have picked either Williams or Maye with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft ahead of the talented class of quarterbacks that included Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson.

In his latest mock draft on Thursday, ESPN's Matt Miller predicted that Williams will be going to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 1 with Maye heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 3 pick. The only reason Maye wasn't at No. 2 is that Arizona was projected to be selecting with back-to-back picks thanks to owning the Houston Texans' 2024 first-rounder.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Williams is coming off a dominant 2022 season for the Trojans in which he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns against just five interceptions while adding 113 carries for 382 yards and 10 more scores. He's drawn frequent comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs star and two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes because of his creativity and his athleticism.

Thamel noted that "it was unanimous among the scouts that they liked Williams better" than Maye. However, the Tar Heels signal-caller also has a bright future ahead of him.

Whereas Williams is listed as 6'1" and 215 pounds, Maye has the prototypical size for an NFL starting quarterback at 6'4" and 230 pounds. He enjoyed a breakout season for North Carolina last year in which he recorded 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions through the air while also adding 698 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground.

It's clear that both Williams and Maye are destined for stardom at the next level. But first, they will focus their attention on the 2023 college football season, which kicks off this weekend.

North Carolina receiver Tez Walker released a statement Tuesday saying the NCAA denied his waiver for immediate eligibility after he transferred from Kent State to be close to his grandmother.

Another bad look by the NCAA denying Tez Walker’s waiver for immediate eligibility. The WR from Charlotte had transferred to UNC from Kent State to be closer to his ailing grandmother. His statement: pic.twitter.com/GKDVlxz3Ew

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 8, 2023

Walker, who was born and raised in Charlotte, will have to sit out the 2023 season as a result.

North Carolina says it plans to appeal the decision.

"When he transferred, we thought it was an absolute no-brainer because he fits every reason that transfers should be eligible," Tar Heels coach Mac Brown told reporters Tuesday. "And then we were really, really surprised when it was denied—and disappointed."

Walker began his college career at NC Central but never played for the school before transferring to Kent State. That move used up Walker's one free transfer under NCAA rules.

It seems highly unlikely the NCAA will win this battle in the court of public opinion. Walker's grandmother has been in ailing health, and his transfer would have allowed her to see him play college football for the first time.

The dynamic wideout burst onto the scene in 2022, racking up 58 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was expected to serve as the top wideout in North Carolina's depth chart, earning preseason All-ACC honors earlier this month.

The NCAA's decision puts Brown's status—as well as the North Carolina receiver room—into flux less than a month before the team begins its season against rival South Carolina. The Tar Heels were ranked No. 20 in the preseason Coaches' Poll, which was released Monday.

Even if North Carolina's Drake Maye is not the first quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL draft, he might still be one of the best of his generation, according to an AFC executive.

"If Caleb Williams weren't in this draft, we'd be talking about Maye as a generational prospect," the executive told ESPN's Matt Miller. "He still might be one."

Maye and USC quarterback Caleb Williams are early favorites to be selected at the top of next year's draft.

Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is already being billed as a "generational" talent. After transferring from Oklahoma, he looked like a different player with USC last season, leading the Trojans to an 11-3 record by throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns with just five interceptions and a bevy of highlight-reel plays.

But like the battle for the top spot in the 2023 draft between Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, there is an argument to be made for Maye being a similar difference-maker.

In his first season as Carolina's starting quarterback, Maye put up a record-breaking campaign that saw him rack up the most passing yards (4,321), completions (342) and tie for the most touchdown passes (38) in UNC history. He showed off his speed by adding 698 yards on the ground.

Maye, who turns 21 in August, still has time to build on that first campaign. That possibility for growth, plus his 6'4", 230-pound frame, is enough for executives to start considering whether the upcoming draft could generate not one but two generation-defining prospects.

There may not be another player who improved their NFL draft stock last season more than North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.

A relative unknown going into his first year as a starter, the former five-star prospect shone bright in 2022, throwing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, both top-five marks in FBS. He also rushed for 698 yards.

And now, he's viewed as one of the top signal callers in next year's draft class along with USC's Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah sees a bright future for the 20-year-old star, drawing comparisons to former All-Pro Carson Palmer.

"There isn't a perfect comparison that comes to mind after studying Maye," Jeremiah wrote in Maye's scouting report. "The closest comp would probably be former Bengals, Raiders and Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer. Both guys have all the desired traits: size, arm strength, mobility and accuracy. Palmer arrived in the NFL in 2003 with cleaner/crisper footwork, while Maye is a better overall athlete."

It's high praise for Maye as Palmer carved out an illustrious 14-year career in the NFL, spending time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. He made three Pro Bowl appearances after being taken No. 1 overall in 2003 by Cincinnati.

Palmer, who, retired after the 2017 season, ended his career with 46,247 yards and 294 touchdowns, top 15 all-time in both categories.

Maye would be in pretty good shape if he's able to have that type of career in the pros.

However, next year's draft class is expected to be another elite group headlined by Maye and Williams. Jeremiah compared it favorably to the 2020 cycle that produced Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa.

Jeremiah also believes that while Williams seems to be the favorite to be the top selection, Maye has all the talent in the world to push him and make it a difficult decision for evaluators.

ESPN is putting the spotlight on Heisman contender Drake Maye and North Carolina to open the 2023 college football regular season.

The network announced on Tuesday that College Gameday will be at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 2 for the showdown between the Tar Heels and South Carolina Gamecocks.

WE'RE COMING TO THE QUEEN CITY! 👑

See you Week 1 in Charlotte for a battle of the Carolinas 🍿@UNCFootball | @GamecockFB pic.twitter.com/OJ7J7SOM6b

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) July 24, 2023

Maye is certainly going to be the focal point of the game's coverage. The 20-year-old is coming off a season in which he was named ACC Player of the Year and could be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Expectations are also going to be high for the Tar Heels. Their nine wins last season were their most since 2015 (11-3) and they played in the ACC Championship Game for the first time in seven years.

Things could be even better for North Carolina this season. The 2022 recruiting class, which 247Sports' composite rankings named the 11th-best class in the nation, has one year of experience under its belt.

On the other side of the field, Shane Beamer is entering his third season with the Gamecocks. They finished 23rd in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll last season with an 8-5 record, including wins over Tennessee and Clemson.

This will mark the 60th all-time meeting between the two Carolina programs. North Carolina leads the series with a 35-20-4 record, but South Carolina has won eight of the last 11 meetings dating back to 1981.

The most recent matchup between the two programs was a 38-21 win for the Gamecocks in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30, 2021.

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 309

HAND: 10"

ARM: 34"

WINGSPAN: 82 3/4"

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40-YARD DASH: 5.18

3-CONE: 7.76

SHUTTLE: 4.89

VERTICAL: 29"

BROAD: 8'11"

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POSITIVES

— Strapping, well-rounded build with plenty of length and sand

— Lighter on his feet than he tested with his basketball background showing up on film

— Plays long in pass-protection with excellent grip strength to stay locked onto the block once latched

— Very good play strength makes him a chore to work through with power

— Functional zone run-blocker who comes to balance on the move before contact and understands how to pivot and shield defenders to create lanes

— Can flush and clear out DL on angle-drive blocks when his hat and hand placement is on point

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NEGATIVES

— Slow to refit and re-leverage himself on blocks, leaving him scrambling to recover late in the rep

— Lags and steps under himself when redirecting and power-stepping to cut off moves across his face

— Can work too flat and underset wide alignments to create a short corner

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2023 STATISTICS

— 14 starts at LT

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NOTES

— Former 3-star offensive tackle recruit out of Haverford School in Pennsylvania where he was also a four-year letterman in basketball

— Began playing offensive line midway through his senior season at Haverford, moving from defensive end and tight end

— 38 career starts at UNC (37 at LT, one at LG) including 34 consecutive

— Invited to the 2023 Senior Bowl

— Turns 23-years old on October 2nd

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OVERALL

Asim Richards is a three-year starter with 38 career starts (34 consecutive) primarily at left tackle, including 14 starts at LT during the 2022 season in UNC's balanced offense and multiple-run scheme. Richards has a strapping build with plenty of length, sand and adequate athletic ability.

Richards is a powerful run-blocker on angle-drive blocks with a big body and girth to shield and wall off rush lanes. When his hat and hand placement are in sync he can create major displacement on down blocks and he takes coordinated, under-control tracks to the second-level meet backers with balance. Richards will struggle to refit and re-leverage himself when he's initially stalemated or off-target (Ex: vs. Myles Murphy in 2022), leaving him scrambling and discombobulated.

In pass-protection, Richards maximizes his length and girth to engulf rushers on jump sets and play long against wide alignments with vice grips for hands once latched. Richards can mirror rushers up the arc and stay balanced at the top of the QB's drop to protect the corner when the QB is strict about pocket depth (which Drake Maye was in 2022).

He has very good anchor strength and is an obstacle for power rushers to work through. When Richards is square in his set, his length and catch hand can protect against inside counters. But NFL rushers will be able to get his hips opened sooner and expose middling redirect ability inside where he lags and steps under himself against moves across his face. Richards will also set too flat and short on some wide alignments, creating a short corner and quick path to the QB.

Overall, Richards is a powerfully built, durable blocker with very good length, lower half strength and vice grips for hands that make him an obstacle to work around or through. Richards has mediocre quickness but is nimble enough on his feet to compete for a swing backup role at tackle or guard with starting potential within his first contract if he lands in the right situation.

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GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player/Round 4)

OVERALL RANK: 117

POSITION RANK: OT10

PRO COMPARISON: Jordan Mills

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn