Eric Ebron (Courtesy of Goheels.com)

CHAPEL HILL – Eric Ebron has the strength to block up front for North Carolina, the speed to sprint by defenders after the catch and the versatility to be an all-over-the-field threat. It’s why coach Larry Fedora is pushing his tight end for a big season in the Tar Heels’ no-huddle offense.

The 6-foot-4 junior set a program record for catches and yards receiving for a tight end last year. Now Fedora wants his preseason all-conference pick aiming for more – a dozen touchdowns, in fact – in a season that begins with Thursday’s trip to No. 6 South Carolina.

Ebron says it’s a goal “that rarely anyone has accomplished and it’ll separate me from others.”

South Carolina secondary coach Grady Brown called Ebron “a monster of a tight end.”