Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Scribbler
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina tutor Mack Brown mentioned all life that Tez Walker would build an already dynamic Tar Heels offense even higher.
Everybody noticed why on Saturday night time. In his first sport absolutely built-in into the offensive gameplan because the NCAA granted him quick eligibility, Walker had 3 landing catches in a 41-31 win over Miami — serving to to push the Tar Heels to 6-0 at the season.
North Carolina has scored 30 or extra issues in six directly video games, and 40 issues in every sport since Walker changed into to be had.
“I am really proud of him,” Brown mentioned of Walker, who completed with six catches and 132 yards. “We have a chance to be a lot better with him in our lineup. Everyone is going to key in on him and it’ll change the way people play defense against us. His presence is a game changer.”
Walker waited just about part a season for this past. In September, the NCAA denied his ultimate attraction to play games this season as a two-time switch. Within the weeks next that denial, Walker labored at the North Carolina scout crew hour a felony crew started reexamining his case on his behalf. Later two days prior to the Syracuse sport utmost life, the NCAA reversed path and granted his quick eligibility.
Surprised on the reversal, Walker right away started working to begin cramming in just a explicit poised of performs for the sport towards the Orange. He didn’t get started however performed, catching six passes for 43 yards. This life can be other.
Merely put, North Carolina does now not have a receiver with mixture of measurement (6-foot-2½, 200) and pace to stretch the ground and build heavy performs within the passing sport. Previous within the life, receivers tutor Lonnie Galloway mentioned, “His speed, his explosiveness, you have to account for him.”
Quarterback Drake Maye mentioned Walker referred to as a gathering with him and the receivers to observe extra movie on Thursday to organize for the sport. Walker had waited for this past for 6 video games, and he felt in a position for it, however you could by no means are aware of it according to his demeanor. Brown mentioned he requested Walker, “Are you excited about tonight?” and Walker spoke back, “Mmhmm.”
Miami would quickly to find out. On his first landing cross, Walker covered up inside of, and working again British Brooks covered up outdoor – totally complicated the Miami defensive backs. He stuck a very easy 18-yard landing. On his 2nd, Walker totally blew time Miami cornerback Jaden Davis for a 56-yard rating. On his 3rd, Walker as soon as once more was once broad discoverable around the center – and this hour All-American protection Kam Kinchens may do not anything to oppose him. Walker had himself a 33-yard landing reception. To honour, he did the U together with his palms and next threw it downward in entrance of the Miami division.
Requested about it in a while, Walker mentioned, “Growing up you hear about Miami, you see team playing them, you see them throwing the U down, so seeing orange in front of my face, might as well. They were a little chippy, too.”
Walker mentioned he was once now not as i’m nervous towards Miami as he was once utmost life, as a result of he had extra hour to organize. As though he had a sense he would have a breakout sport, Walker mentioned, “I had a little feeling — I just wanted to get out there and get the win, really. Just do my part. At the end of the day, winning is what it’s all about.”
Maye joked he will have to have centered Walker greater than the 9 occasions he did within the sport, as a result of Walker was once so efficient. Walker changed into the second one participant in UNC historical past with 3 receiving touchdowns towards an AP Govern 25 opponent, becoming a member of Hakeem Nicks in 2008 vs 23 Boston Faculty.
However he did extra than simply catch passes. Walker additionally had a raise on a designed run that went for 19 yards, and he recovered an onside kick overdue within the sport that sealed the win for the Tar Heels.
Next the sport ended, Galloway discovered Walker next he was once executed together with his postgame interview and gave him a protracted embody. “He just told me congratulations, and he loved me,” Walker mentioned. “I’m glad I’m you’re coach.”
