CHAPEL HILL – Senior linebacker Cayson Collins can’t believe his final go-around has arrived.

It seems like just the other day he scooped up a fumble at Miami and ran into the end zone for a touchdown, though of course, he was a true freshman when that happened.

Since, Collins has been on a roller coaster of sorts as a Tar Heel. A starter for most of the last two seasons, his job security was somewhat aided by the fact that there were many underlings applying pressure to the starters.

As his final season approaches, though, Collins is ready to put forth his best performance as a Heel.

“It’s crazy to look back and see how much progress that I’ve made,” he said. “I’m still working, but I’ve definitely seen myself make a lot of strides in the right direction.”

It wasn’t always easy. Collins, who registered 60 tackles a year ago, 4 for a loss of yardage while forcing 2 fumbles, struggled with elements of the playbook, syncing what he learned in the classroom to actual performance on the field. His attitude and disciplines were challenged.

“I understand the defense in a completely different way,” Collins said. “I’m able to help the younger guys and tell them where they’re supposed to be. The coaches will ask a question in the meeting room about what the Mike is supposed to do, and I’ll be able to answer them surprising me and surprising them.

“A year ago, I wasn’t really too sure about what my job was. The strides I’ve made have been really tremendous.”

One change in how the defense across the board, but in particular the linebackers, will approach things this season is an increase in aggressiveness under new linebackers coach Mike Ekeler and defensive coordinator John Papuchis, who was Collins' position coach for the last two years. See the ball go get the ball, so to speak, is more a part of the mantra than before.

“It does help,” the Charlotte native said. “And having Coach Ek and JP – JP is a more schematic guy and coach Ek is a technician, teaches you how to get off blocks and get to the ball. Coach Ek is teaching us to be more aggressive and JP taught us to really think about what’s going on.”

And, of course, there’s an emotional component to entering his senior season. Time has flown, and it’s now hitting Collins that the last go around has arrived.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “I talk about it with my girlfriend and my mom all the time, I was just getting here like yesterday. I remember seeing the chrome helmets for the first time. It’s crazy that I’m a senior. I put on the jersey today for picture day and it all came me, ‘This is really my last year.’”