UNC tight end Jack Tabb isn’t your normal senior veteran. Although in his final season at Chapel Hill, he’s adapting to life in the spotlight for the first time. Now no longer in the shadow of Tar Heel great Eric Ebron, Tabb is looking to make the most of his senior season.

***Listen to the story***

Tabb, a communication studies major, says one of his favorite activities is hanging out at the beach. But Saturday, in Kenan Stadium, there was no time for relaxation for the Tar Heel nicknamed “Panda”.

Tabb says he enjoyed his experience under the lights in the season opener.

“It was exciting. It felt good. I don’t think we lost any steps. Marquise and Mitch are both playing well and are going to come to me like they came to Ebron. We’re going to make a bunch of plays,” Tabb says.

One of those big “plays” came in the form of a four-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter against Liberty.

Jack Tabb celebrates (UNC Athletics)

Jack Tabb celebrates (UNC Athletics)

And as for that guy named Ebron, the Detroit Lion made a surprise visit to his old team last weekend. Tabb says he was thrilled to see his friend and mentor after the game.

“I got to see him. I gave him a big hug when I saw him. He didn’t tell anybody he was coming either. I was pretty excited to see him. I asked him how it is the League and got a little more insight,” Tabb says.

Tabb says he gained a greater appreciation for what makes college football, and in particular Carolina football, so special, after hearing Ebron talk about the ‘business-nature’ of the NFL.

Eric Ebron (Photo courtesy of GoHeels.com)

Eric Ebron (Photo courtesy of GoHeels.com)

“He says it’s a lot different. It’s family here. In the League, it’s a business. He says he really misses the camaraderie and the brotherhood that we have here and how we play football,” Tabb says.

UNC head coach Larry Fedora says he’s still hoping for more out of Tabb, but his steady improvement is certainly encouraging.

“I’d like to have that one back down the middle that Jack went up, and the linebacker got his hand on it at the last second. He learned a good lesson there that you need to go up and get it. You can’t wait for it to come down in that situation. He would have had two touchdowns. But he’s improved, he’s getting better,” Coach Fedora says.

Tabb says he’s bared witness to a lot in Carolina football over the past three-plus seasons. He says the experience has sharpened his outlook and perspective on his craft.

“I have a lot more insight and experience through the years of seeing my teammates leaving and not everyone in my class being here. It’s definitely really important to have that family feeling, especially in your last year of football. It feels good,” Tabb says.

However, Tabb knows there’s still plenty of room for improvement in his game.

“I need to play a little more physical. There are definitely areas that I need to improve – physicality, blocking on perimeter, making sure everyone on the offense is comfortable,” Tabb says.

But for Ebron, always the showboat, he wants Tabb to electrify the crowds with the big play.

“He said I did a good job. He said he wanted me to go up and dunk on that kid down in the end zone. I told him I got him next time, so we can make a highlight,” Tabb says.

If Tabb can continue to progress at his position, channel his ‘inner-Ebron’ and seize the moment in his final year donning the Carolina uniform, he may just find himself on a highlight reel or two before the final Bell Tower chimes of the season.