Devontez Walker Bio
Devontez Walker, nicknamed “Tez,” is an American professional football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 198 pounds, he wears jersey number 81 and is listed as active on the Ravens roster. He entered the league in 2024 after being selected in the fourth round of that year’s NFL Draft.
Walker played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes and the North Carolina Tar Heels, building a reputation as a sure-handed pass catcher with strong production in the red zone. His professional career began in Baltimore, where he has gradually worked into the team’s offensive rotation.
Early Life and Background
Devontez Walker was born on June 19, 2001, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in the same city where he would later attend West Charlotte High School. Coming out of high school, Walker showed promise as a two-way player, finishing his prep career with 48 receptions for 923 yards and 2 touchdowns on offense.
Defensively, he tallied 36 tackles, ten pass deflections, and six interceptions, demonstrating the kind of ball skills that would later define his college career. After completing high school, Walker committed to play college football at North Carolina Central, setting the stage for a winding path through three collegiate programs.
Path to American Football
Enrolling at North Carolina Central in 2020, Walker did not play in any games during his first season, as the FCS schedule had been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking a new opportunity, he transferred to Kent State in 2021, where he made his collegiate debut in the opening week of the season.
At Kent State, Walker developed into one of the most productive wide receivers in the Mid-American Conference, earning First-team All-MAC honors in 2022. After head coach Sean Lewis departed the program, Walker entered the transfer portal and returned to his home state to join North Carolina, where he was named to the 2023 Preseason All-ACC Team before facing an eligibility battle with the NCAA.
Devontez Walker Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Walker’s first collegiate action came at Kent State in 2021. He caught one pass for three yards in a season-opening loss to No. 6 Texas A&M and added a 74-yard touchdown reception in the team’s bowl game against Wyoming. He finished the year with five receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown.
The 2022 season marked his breakthrough. Walker produced 58 receptions for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 29 rushing yards and a rushing score. He delivered seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown against reigning national champion Georgia, and closed the year with a game-winning performance against Buffalo, earning First-team All-MAC honors.
Kent State Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Over two seasons with the Golden Flashes, Walker evolved from a role player into the program’s primary offensive weapon. He recorded standout performances against Ohio, Miami (OH), and Georgia, consistently winning contested catches and producing in the scoring area. His 2022 campaign placed him among the most productive wide receivers in the conference.
North Carolina Era (2023)
After transferring to North Carolina, Walker was named to the 2023 Preseason All-ACC Team, but the NCAA initially ruled him a two-time transfer and denied his eligibility. He missed four games before a successful appeal reinstated him for the remainder of the season. He returned against Syracuse and played in eight games, catching 41 passes for 699 yards and seven touchdowns, including a six-catch, 132-yard, three-touchdown performance against Miami. Following the regular season, Walker declared for the NFL Draft and opted out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024–Present)
Walker was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round, 113th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft. The pick was acquired through a trade that sent offensive tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. He spent most of his rookie season contributing on special teams while learning the offensive system.
In Week 15 of the 2024 season, Walker recorded his first NFL reception and first NFL touchdown, a 21-yard catch from Lamar Jackson on third down against the New York Giants. The Ravens won the game 35–14, marking a memorable moment in Walker’s first professional season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Walker’s first NFL touchdown against the New York Giants stood as his lone offensive statistic during the 2024 regular season. His transition from a controversial NCAA eligibility fight at North Carolina to a fourth-round draft pick by the Ravens highlighted his resilience and long-term potential as a professional wide receiver.
Devontez Walker Career Wins
Walker’s most celebrated win came in the 2022 season finale at Kent State, when he scored the game-winning touchdown against Buffalo to cap an 11-touchdown campaign. His eight games at North Carolina included a personal-best three-touchdown performance against Miami, one of the strongest single-game outings of his college career.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his signature catches, Walker produced consistent performances across both college stops and has begun delivering scoring contributions for the Baltimore Ravens. His combination of size, speed, and red-zone reliability continues to define his role within the Baltimore offense.
Devontez Walker Family
Personal Life
Devontez Walker was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended West Charlotte High School before pursuing collegiate football opportunities at three different programs, an uncommon path that speaks to his perseverance and dedication to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 campaign, Walker was positioned as one of Baltimore’s auxiliary wide receivers behind the team’s top pass-catching options. He wasted little time making an impact, recording two receptions for 26 yards and two touchdowns in a 41–17 Week 2 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
His role within the Ravens’ offense continued to grow throughout the season. In Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Walker caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, opening the scoring in a narrow 24–26 loss.
Through the early portion of his second professional season, Walker has shown flashes of the red-zone production that defined his college résumé, giving Baltimore a developing young weapon at the wide receiver position.