D1 Board Blames UNC For Threats

The D1 Board has fired back!

In a 412-word statement signed by Jere Morehead, Chair of the D1 Board as well as President of the University of Georgia, The D1 Board has made their thoughts on multiple-time transfers clear. To go along with that, they also took aim directly at the University of North Carolina who have expressed their unhappiness with the NCAA’s treatment of Tez Walker recently. Not only does the D1 Board appear to be standing strong on its recent decision to deny Devontez Walker a transfer waiver, but it is lashing out at North Carolina officials for questioning their decision and, in doing so, inspiring dangerous threats toward the board. Let’s dive in.

Dovontez Walker, Mack Brown, Bubba Cunningham

As most of you probably already know, this entire situation started with Dovontez Walker. Walker enrolled at North Carolina State in 2020 but played zero snaps for them due to COVID restrictions. He then transferred to Kent State and played two seasons for the Golden Flashes, breaking out in 2022. Walker, who grew up in Charlotte and always dreamed of playing football in his home state, caught the attention of Head Coach Mack Brown and decided to transfer once again, this time after Kent State saw many changes on its coaching staff.

A few days after Walker began classes at UNC, the NCAA changed its rules regarding multiple-time transfers. Walker, who had technically only played football for one college, and who made his decision to transfer before the rule changes, assumed he would be granted a waiver. He was not. The NCAA recently denied his appeal, upholding its decision causing Brown, Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, as well as some national media members to light into the NCAA for the negative impact it was imposing on Walker.

The D1 Board’s Statement

Before I leave you with my thoughts, let’s first let the D1 Board’s statement speak for itself.

At best, there seems to be a LARGE disconnect between what the D1 Board thinks the schools they represent want, and what the schools themselves actually want. Take this excerpt from the clip, for example, “The DI Board is troubled by the public remarks made last week by some of the University of North Carolina leadership. Those comments directly contradict what we and our fellow Division I members and coaches called for vociferously – including UNC’s own football coach.”

The D1 Board is implying that the schools want this. For one moment, forget how misguided it is to view events like these in a vacuum and ask yourself one question; if that were true, why would both North Carolina Central and Kent State be imploring the NCAA to grant Walker a waiver? Does the D1 Board really think the schools want every case to be treated as one? Clearly, there need to be exceptions. That’s the entire point of a waiver!

And this is only the tip of the iceberg. Look at quarterbacks J.T. Daniels and Kedon Slovis, who have combined to attend seven different colleges since 2020. Each of their waivers has been granted. I am never one to make accusations to people I’ve never met, but this absolutely begs the question, what is the difference?

This screams of indifference and entitlement. The NCAA has always valued its own power over everything. Walker is just a casualty in their battle to maintain that power. But at a certain point, it has to be too much. Walker is a 22-year-old who transferred to team up with Heisman candidate Drake Maye. The duo could have done wonderful things together. How high could playing with Maye have propelled Walker’s draft status? Thanks to the D1 Board, we may never know.