2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

85 - ERIC EBRON
Tight End North Carolina Greensboro, N.C.
Year: 2 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 255 Born: 4/10/93
Draft: ’14, R1 (10)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
MANE FACTS
‣ ¾ Pronunciation: EE-bron
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round (10th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
PRO
The top tight end in the 2014 NFL Draft after a three-year career at North Carolina, Ebron’s massive frame and fluid
movement to get downfield create a versatile, new weapon for the Lions offense. Selected by the Lions with the 10th
overall pick, Ebron is one of only four tight ends (Brandon Pettigrew, 2009; Jermaine Gresham, 2010; Tyler Eifert, 2012) to
be drafted in the first round since 2009.
2014: Learning under veteran TE Brandon Pettigrew, Ebron finished sixth on the team in receptions with 25 and finished
his rookie season with 248 yards and one touchdown.
‣ ¾ Targeted twice and helped block for the Lions offense, which collected 417 net yards, in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8).
‣ ¾ Hauled in the first three receptions of his career for 38 yards in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Caught one pass and helped block for the Lions offense that gained 361 yards of total offense in Week 3 vs. Green Bay
(9/21).
‣ ¾ Matched his then-career-best with three receptions for 34 yards and caught his first-career touchdown pass just before
the end of the first half in Week 4 at New York Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Snagged a pair of passes for eight yards in Week 5 vs. Buffalo (10/5).
‣ ¾ Caught two passes for 23 yards in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12).
‣ ¾ Inactive in Week 7 vs. New Orleans (10/19) and Week 8 at Atlanta (10/26).
‣ ¾ Collected a career-high four receptions for 22 yards in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Caught a pair of passes for 24 yards in Week 12 at New England (11/23).
‣ ¾ Hauled in three passes for 23 yards in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Caught a trio of passes for 28 yards in Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay (12/7).
‣ ¾ Collected one reception for 11 yards in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14). Key blocker for the Lions’ ground game, which
racked up 138 yards and two touchdowns in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).
‣ ¾ Hauled in two receptions for 38 yards in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
‣ ¾ Caught three receptions for 21 yards in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).
COLLEGE
Ebron played three seasons at North Carolina, where he started in 21-of-34 career games and set school career-records for
tight ends with 112 receptions for 1,805 yards (16.1 avg) and eight touchdowns. His 112 receptions eclipsed the previous
all-time tight end record of 94 catches by Zack Pianalto (2007-10).
‣ ¾ His 112 career receptions rank second all-time in Atlantic Coast Conference history. The only ACC tight end to record
more receptions in a career is Heath Miller of Virginia (144; 2002-04). Ebron’s 1,805 receiving yards topped Miller’s
conference tight end record of 1,703 yards.
‣ ¾ In 2013, Ebron’s 973 receiving yards set a new ACC record for single-season receiving yards by a tight end, breaking
Vernon Davis’ (Maryland) record of 871 in 2005.
PERSONAL
Played his prep ball at Smith (N.C.) High School in Greensboro under head coach Rodney Brewington. Rated as the eighthbest
tight end in the nation by ESPNU and ranked 20th among high school tight ends by Scout.com.
‣ ¾ Voted to the Associated Press North Carolina All-State team as a senior, earning a roster spot on North Carolina’s
Shrine Bowl team.
‣ ¾ As a senior, concluded his high school career with 28 receptions for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also played defensive
end, where he posted 68 tackles and 13.5 sacks in 2010.
EBRON’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Receptions:................................................................................4 at Ari 11/16/14
Receiving Touchdowns:..........................................................1 at NYJ 9/28/14
Receiving Yards:.............................................38 (twice) Last at GB 12/28/14
Long Reception:.................................................................... 22 at GB 12/28/14
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