From Ineligible to NFL Draft

How Devontez Walker went from ineligible in college to Lamar Jacksons #1 Wide Receiver!

1. Early Dreams and Influences

   • From the age of 4, Walker dreamt of playing in the NFL.

   • His favorite player, AJ Green, influenced his playing style.

2. High School Success

   • Walker excelled at West Charlotte High School as a star wide receiver and defensive back.

   • Despite envisioning himself as a D1 wide receiver, colleges primarily saw him as a defensive player.

3. Setback and Resilience

   • Walker faced a significant setback with a torn ACL, a potentially career-ending injury.

   • He worked at Bojangles to cover rehab expenses.

4. College Journey

   • Initially set to play at NC Central, lockdowns in 2020 disrupted his plans.

   • Eventually landed at Kent State, where he showcased his skills with impressive stats.

   • Against reigning national champions Georgia, Walker had one of the best performances of his career, with seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown,

   • Desire to transfer to North Carolina to be closer to family faced NCAA eligibility issues due to being a two-time transfer.

5. NCAA Reversal and Performance

   • After NCAA initially ruled him ineligible, a reversal during the 2023 season allowed Walker to return to play.

   • Despite setbacks and doubts about his NFL prospects, Walker's performance remained strong.

6. NFL Draft Opportunity

   • Walker's impressive performance caught the attention of NFL scouts.

   • He received a call from the Ravens' General Manager, offering him a chance to catch passes from Lamar Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

7. Dream Realized

   • Playing alongside Lamar Jackson fulfilled Walker's childhood dream.

   • His resilience and perseverance led to him becoming Lamar Jackson's primary deep threat.

8. Strengths and Areas for Improvement

   • Walker's strengths include being a vertical threat and excelling at releasing off the ball and high-pointing catches.

   • Acknowledges the need to work on consistency in speed, eliminating footsteps, and improving hand technique.

9. Player Influences

   • Walker studied players like Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. to enhance his skills.

10. Looking Ahead

    • Walker's journey is seen as just the beginning of his NFL career, with potential for further growth and success.