John Harbaugh: Tez Walker is ‘off to a great start’

Former North Carolina standout Tez Walker isn’t waiting to making a good impression in his new environment. On Saturday, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh raved about his newest wide receiver.

“You knew he was going to be fast and you knew he was going to be big,” Harbaugh said, “he showed that. I was impressed with how well he moved changing direction. I didn’t know if he was going to change direction quite as well as he did the last two days. He caught the ball really well. So, yeah, he’s off to a really great start.”

The Baltimore Ravens selected Walker with the No. 113 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Harbaugh shouldn’t be too surprised by Walker’s excellent early showing for the team.

Walker played eight games for the Tar Heels last season after finally being ruled eligible by the NCAA. His case made national news after he transferred from Kent State, but started his career at North Carolina Central.

He made his time count in 2023. Walker finished the season with 41 catches, 699 yards, seven touchdowns and 17 yards per catch. Over the last three years, Walker amassed 104 catches, 1,744 yards, 19 touchdowns and 16.8 yards per catch.

Walker will be another talented target for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Mark Andrews each tallied over 500 receiving yards for the Ravens last season. Walker hopes to add to the list.

“There’s a lot of great pieces for Lamar, and I feel like with my skill set, I’ll be able to add on to be a deadly weapon down the line,” Walker said during his Baltimore Ravens introductory press conference.

“(It’s) definitely an honor,” Walker continued. “I’ve been watching Lamar since he came out of high school. Watched him at Louisville. I think he’s a great football player. He’s somebody I wished I was on his team, and now that wish is coming true. So he’s a great player. I love watching him.”

The Ravens finished the regular season with a 13-4 record last season, securing their first AFC North title since 2019. Baltimore didn’t stop there, either. The Ravens dominated the Houston Texans to advance to their first AFC Championship since they won the Super Bowl in 2012.

Nonetheless, the Ravens couldn’t go any further on their journey, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs by a mere touchdown. Tez Walker will look to be a difference maker as the Ravens prepare to make another historic run in the 2024 campaign.