Michigan earns commitment from 2025 in-state DL Bobby Kanka
Michigan has landed a commitment from 2025 Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka.
The news comes on the heels of the program’s annual BBQ at The Big House this weekend when the in-stater returned to campus. Since Kanka earned an offer from the Wolverines in March of last year, his visits to Ann Arbor have hit the double-digit mark.
Kanka is the first recruiting win for defensive line coach Mike Elston in the 2025 cycle.
“One reason why I love Coach Elston is that he’s not a yeller,” Kanka previously told The Wolverine. “Some coaches are short-tempered but he coaches first which is very important to me. If you don’t listen, it obviously escalates a little bit but that’s why you have to listen the first time (laughs). But it was awesome to see him coach like that. Being an instructor and not a yeller.”
Kanka chose Michigan over other notable offers from Penn State, Tennessee, Northwestern, Kansas, Syracuse, Michigan State and Louisville.
At 6-foot-4, 263 pounds, Kanka is not yet ranked by On3 but is listed in the Top 6 within the state of Michigan on two other primary recruiting media services.
“It’s like home,” father Tom Kanka told The Wolverine. “Everyone (at Michigan) does a tremendous job of building relationships and making sure you feel welcomed. Coach (Jim) Harbaugh once gave Bobby the greatest piece of advice, saying ‘You have three years left of high school, Bobby, go and look.’ If this is where you want to go, then great, but enjoy the process, he said. Keep an open mind and then see what happens. But they set the bar when it comes to recruiting and relationships.”
Before the barbecue, Kanka made appearances for Michigan’s Big Man Camp in June, the April spring game, and multiple spring camp practices. His knowledge of the defensive line development under Elston and building communication with the roster players helped set in motion his high interest of the program.
“I think they’re a great group,” Kanka said. “They know how to have fun but also know when it’s time to get work done. They all seem like they really want to improve their craft. Like Kris Jenkins, when I was in the meeting room, I could tell that he’s a really good leader and he’s always working to improve himself and the others around him. They’re going to have a really good year, for sure.”
Kanka is the third verbal commit in Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class, joining Top 100 Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Chris Ewald and rising Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker.
The Wolverines are currently ranked in No. 8 overall in the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 overall in the Big Ten Conference behind Penn State.
