CHAPEL HILL– Saturday’s game against No. 24 Duke will be junior tight end Eric Ebron’s final home game as a Tar Heel.

Ebron made the announcement Monday that he will be forgoing his senior year of eligibility to enter the 2014 NFL Draft following UNC’s bowl game. He says he consulted with his family and coaches to arrive at his decision.

“Eric has decided to forgo his senior season so this will be his last home game as a Tar Heel football player. I’m proud of what Eric has accomplished and how he as represented the University of North Carolina. We are excited for him and his future. This is a good decision by him and his family and I fully support him. We are sad to see him go but are also excited for his future,” Coach Fedora says.

The Greensboro native leads Carolina with 50 receptions for 774 yards and three touchdowns this season. He holds the single-season and career records for catches and receiving yards by a tight end. So far, he has 100 career catches for 1,606 yards.

Currently, Ebron sits No. 12 on ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper’s Big Board. He is rated the nation’s top tight end.