Two North Carolina players in Tez Walker and now Cedric Gray have opted out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against West Virginia.
Walker’s decision came over the weekend, while Gray announced on Monday he opting out of the game and entering his name into the NFL Draft.
Walker had 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns, while playing in only eight games this season. Walker could have returned to play for the Tar Heels next season, but he decided to enter his name into the NFL Draft.
Gray, was arguable North Carolina’s best player this season. A linebacker, who had been with the program since 2020, announced Monday, “I have decided not to participate in the bowl game.”
Gray had 121 total tackles, 11 TFL’s, 5.0 sacks, an interception, and a pair of forced fumbles.
West Virginia will be without starting center Zach Frazier for the bowl game, who underwent surgery following an injury he sustained in the regular season finale against Baylor. The Mountaineers have also had a pair of defensive starters in Hershey McLaurin and Mike Lockhart enter their names into the transfer portal.
