With the college football regular season winding down,  one of North Carolina’s best players has declared early for the NFL Draft.

Tight End Eric Ebron announced his decision on Monday and will likely be the first tight end off the board come May.  Standing six-foot-four he is one of the faster tight ends in the up-coming draft and catches everything thrown his way – described by many experts as an athletic freak which will allow him to line-up almost anywhere on the pitch.  How many tight ends can make a catch like this? Link 

Ebron,  from Greensboro,  North Carolina,  chose to play for the Tar Heels despite offers on the table from Clemson, Arkansas and Missouri. As a freshman,  Ebron had a quiet year with just ten catches before bursting onto the scene in 2012 with 40 catches for 625 yards and four touchdowns.  It was then that many experts took notice and realised he had all the requisite tools for the NFL.  Despite North Carolina struggling throughout 2013 with poor quarterback play and no running game,  Ebron has roped in 50 catches for 774 yards and three touchdowns with more often than not two or three defenders draped around him.

To become elite at the next level Ebron must work on his blocking – something that can and will be taught at the next level.  A comparison to Vernon Davis was made by Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller,  something I imagine all college players would love to hear.

With the tight end position valued higher than ever,  teams are always looking for the next Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham.  It’s likely Ebron will be a mid-first-round pick and one of the more intriguing stories to follow leading up to the draft.