Bennie Joppru set the single-season school record for receptions by a tight end in 2002.

With Michigan’s 2009 season wrapped up, and the decade coming to a close, I thought I would steal an idea from Dr. Saturday and have my readers vote on a Team of the Decade. So, I’ve come up with a list of nominees for every position, and I’ll be posting two position groups every day for the next week, leaving it up to you to vote for who should make the team. At the end of the month, I’ll tally up the votes and reveal the team of the decade. Next up are the tight ends and fullbacks:

Okay, I’m cheating a little and lumping in the tight end post with the fullback post — both came up a little short in excitement and number of nominees to warrant their own post. First, the tight end nominees:

Bennie Joppru (1999-2002): Joppru broke out as a senior after three years of backup duty at tight end, setting the single-season school record for catches by a tight end in 2002 with 53, going for 579 yards and five touchdowns. The sure-handed option was a first down machine, and earned AP All-America third-team honors for his record-setting performance. Joppru is fourth in career receptions for a tight end at Michigan, and ninth in career receiving yards.

Tyler Ecker (2003-2006): Ecker never had a season that compared with Joppru’s senior campaign, but over the last three years of his career he was a consistent threat — when healthy — going over the middle for Michigan. His finest season came as a junior, when he registered 21 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Ecker sits ninth all-time for career tight end receptions at Michigan.

Tim Massaquoi (2002-2005): The talented Massaquoi started games at tight end in each of his final three seasons at Michigan, but was never quite able to consistently contribute, and split time with the more sure-handed Ecker and Andy Mignery during that time. His best season came in 2003, when he recorded 15 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Kevin Koger (2008-present): The four-star talent has showed flashes of brilliance and a penchant for the big play in his first two years at Michigan. Koger snagged six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown as a freshman and finished 2009 with 16 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Although he struggled some with drops as his sophomore season wore on, Koger also exhibited a flair for the spectacular with a Sportscenter-quality grab in the opener against Western Michigan:

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Now, the fullback nominees — I don’t think you could come up with two more different players at the same position.

B.J. Askew (1999-2002): Askew started his career as a tailback, splitting carries with Chris Perry in his junior season before Perry proved himself capable of being a feature back in 2002. With Perry getting the lion’s share of the carries, Askew moved to fullback, where he became a dangerous option as both a runner and receiver. Askew’s best season statistically was 2001, when he rushed for over 900 yards as a tailback, but as a fullback in 2002 still managed to rush for 568 yards and six touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 280 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Kevin Dudley (2001-2004): Dudley — unlike the converted tailback Askew — was a classic fullback, standing 6-1 and weighing 237 pounds. Dudley put his frame to good use, starting 19 games in his junior and senior seasons and acting as a punishing lead blocker. Stats can’t show Dudley’s contribution — he only had three career rushes and eight catches — but he paved the way for Chris Perry’s Doak Walker-winning season in 2003 and Mike Hart’s tremendous freshman campaign in 2004. Dudley, who seemed to thrive from contact, was always good for a spine-crushing block or two per game, and for me you can’t ask for much more out of the fullback position.

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Similar Posts:

• Michigan’s Team of the Decade: Quarterback
• Michigan’s Team of the Decade: Running Backs
• Michigan’s Team of the Decade: Wide Receivers
• Michigan’s Team of the Decade: Interior Linemen
• Michigan’s Team of the Decade: Offense