Where Michigan stands in updated 2025 On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings
Michigan jumps to No. 7 overall on the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings following the verbal commitment of rising 2025 Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka on Tuesday.
At 6-foot-4, 263 pounds, Kanka is not yet ranked by On3. However, he currently holds a four-star ranking on another primary recruiting media service. One service has him listed as the No. 4 player in the state of Michigan.
He’s the first commitment for defensive line coach Mike Elston in the 2025 class.
“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 returned to Ann Arbor for the annual BBQ at The Big House last weekend, participating in a private workout with Elston and 2024 three-star defensive line commit Ted Hammond.
“It was great,” Kanka said. “We had like 30 minutes on the field with him but I definitely learned multiple things in that time period. It was a very productive workout and it was awesome.”
Michigan 2025 Recruiting Class
Following Kanka’s commitment, the Wolverines are one of seven schools at the Division I level with at least three verbal pledges. Their overall ranking sits higher than the likes of Clemson, UCF, SMU, North Carolina, Florida State and LSU.
Rounding out Michigan’s 2024 recruiting class are Top 100 Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Chris Ewald Jr. and rising Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker. All three commits are on the defensive side of the bball.
Dozens of 2025 top targets remain on Michigan’s board, including five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood, five-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day offensive tackle David Sanders, five-star Zephyrhills (Fla.) High safety DJ Pickett, Top 100 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy athlete Alex Graham, three-star Mukilteo (Wash.) Kamiak tight end T’Andre Waverly and three-star Buford (Ga.) High running back Justin Baker.
2025 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings
The Wolverines currently sit No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference and trail Penn State. Nine of the 16 programs currently don’t have a commit next cycle.
1. Penn State
2. Michigan
3. Nebraska
4. USC
5. Ohio State
6. Wisconsin
7. Iowa
