GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan football: Ranking the Wolverines top 10 tight ends of all time

By Matthew Helmkamp

31 Aug 1996: Jerame Tuman #80 of the Michigan Wolverines makes a cut to the outside as he attempts to get around the pursuing defender James Williams #26 of Illinois during the first quarter of their matchup in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mandatory Credit: Mat
31 Aug 1996: Jerame Tuman #80 of the Michigan Wolverines makes a cut to the outside as he attempts to get around the pursuing defender James Williams #26 of Illinois during the first quarter of their matchup in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mandatory Credit: Mat /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

10, 9, and 8.

10. Eric Kattus

Eric Kattus played for Michigan football from 1982-85 with teammate Jim Harbaugh. It was their 85 team that beat Ohio State 27-17 and it was in the first half when Harbaugh aired a 40-yard pass to Kattus leading to a score that evened the match at 10.

Eric was never named an All-American but he did make the All-Big Ten team and still holds the records for receiving touchdowns in a season (8) and he is third all-time for receiving yards in a season (582).

Kattus was drafted in the fourth round of the 1986 draft by his hometown Cinncinati Bengals. He played for them until 1991 and his career wound down ending in 1992 with the Jets.

9. Zach Gentry

Beginning his career at quarterback, Zach Gentry moved to tight end and had two spectacular years at Michigan. While many believed Gentry leaving early was a mistake, he walked on the big stage in the fifth round after being selected by the Pittsburg Steelers where he will be competing with Vance McDonald -whose very injury-prone –  for playing time.

During the years Gentry lined up outside the tackle, he caught 49 passes for 817 yards which averages out to 16.1 yards per catch. For comparison sake, Donovan Peoples-Jones averaged 13 yards per catch last season. That stat was good enough for him to add him to the Big Ten history books at number eight for receiving Yards per reception for that 2018 season.

8. Bennie Joppru

Big Bennie Joppru was on the Lloyd Carr teams from 1999 – 02 but it was his final year that set him apart from the crowd. His senior year Bennie – at 6-foot-5 and 260-pounds – caught 53 passes for 579 yards and five touchdowns.

Also, during his final year, Michigan beat Michigan State 49-3. They held State to a total of 237 yards while rushing for four touchdowns and passing for another three. Joppru got in on the action with his own 42 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Bennie was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft, however, his professional career never took off and he left the Pros in 2008.

Home/Michigan Football All-Time Lists