Tag: Bobby Kanka

2025 Season Countdown: #115 Bobby Kanka

Name: Bobby Kanka
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 299 lbs.
High school: Howell (MI) Howell
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #99
Last year: Kanka was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: 57

Kanka committed to Michigan all the way back on August 1, 2023, so at this point, it has been almost two years since he pledged to the Wolverines. He went through his junior and senior seasons committed to the program, though he did field other interest when there was some uncertainty surrounding Michigan’s coaching situation. Overall, he stayed pretty rock solid as a local kid.

Kanka played some tight end on offense, but he was most known for being a defensive lineman. As a senior, he was listed at 6’4″, 285 lbs. by Howell and is now listed at 289 pounds on Michigan’s roster after enrolling this winter. Viewers of the spring game probably saw Kanka getting pushed around fairly easily a few times. Aside from that, I think Kanka’s senior film showed a guy with a slow first step and a penchant for standing up too high at the snap. I think he’ll need a lot of work and some reshaping of his body before he gets on the field at Michigan, and in some ways, I think he looks more like an offensive lineman. This is most likely a developmental year for Kanka behind a rather deep group of defensive tackles.

Prediction: Redshirt

2025 Defensive Recruiting Update: December 3, 2024

With National Signing Day looming in a couple days – and lots of recruiting movement – I wanted to catch up on some of the most recent happenings as Michigan tries to fill out its 2025 recruiting class. If you want a look at offensive recruiting, check it out HERE.

EDGE

COMMIT: Michigan gained the re-commitment of Oak Park (IL) Fenwick defensive end Nathaniel Marshall (LINK) earlier today. There has been some talk that Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta edge Julius Holly might flip elsewhere, but as of this writing, he’s still committed to the Wolverines.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Indianapolis (IN) Warren Central’s Damien Shanklin was reportedly contacted once Bryce Underwood went public with his flip from LSU to Michigan, but Shanklin has since said he’s solid with LSU. Michigan threw out an offer to Warner Robins (GA) Warner Robins edge Isaiah Gibson, a top-10 player and Georgia commit who surprisingly didn’t have an offer from the Wolverines until the last couple weeks. Michigan has also stepped up its pursuit of Houston (TX) Mayde Creek edge Tobi Haastrup, a raw prospect who has taken official visits to Florida State, Michigan, Oregon, Texas Tech, and USC during the month of November. Ohio State decommit Zahir Mathis from Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep has also been contacted since he backed off his pledge to Ryan Day.

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Michigan State

TRANSFER PORTAL

Donaven McCulley – WR – Indiana: McCulley is a 6’5″, 203 lb. former quarterback who transitioned to receiver at Indiana. He entered the transfer portal in the off-season and was courted by Michigan, but he was convinced to rejoin Indiana’s squad. After not being a major factor early in the year (2 catches, 21 yards, 1 TD in the first five weeks), he decided to re-enter the transfer portal and is now considering Michigan again. UPDATE: McCulley visited Virginia Tech and may visit Michigan later, but did not come to Ann Arbor this weekend.

2025

Andrew Babalola – OT – Overland Park (KS) Blue Valley Northwest: Babalola (5-star, #2 OT, #11 overall) committed to Michigan.

Avery Gach – OT – Franklin (MI) Groves: Gach is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Quante Gillians – DE – Rochester (NY) Aquinas Institute: Gillians is a 6’3″, 278 lb. prospect who has been committed to Syracuse since June 2024. Michigan offered him in the last month, and he also has offers from Boston College and Pitt, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #101 defensive lineman, and #978 overall.

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: Michigan vs. USC

2025

Avery Gach – OT – Birmingham (MI) Groves: Gach is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Donovan Johnson – RB – Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy: Johnson is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Bobby Kanka – DT – Howell (MI) Howell: Kanka is committed to Michigan.

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Texas

1992

Derek Jeter – SS – Kalamazoo (MI) Central: Jeter was committed to Michigan as a baseball player in the class of 1992 but chose to sign with the New York Yankees instead. The Hall of Famer will serve as an honorary captain for the game against Texas.

2025

Avery Gach – OG – Franklin (MI) Groves: Gach is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Julius Holly – DE – Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta: Holly is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Bobby Kanka – DT – Howell (MI) Howell: Kanka is committed to Michigan.

Andrew Marsh – WR – Fulshear (TX) Katy Jordan: Marsh is committed to Michigan.

Eli Owens – TE – Alcoa (TN) Alcoa: Owens is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Ivan Taylor – S – Winter Garden (FL) West Orange: Taylor is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.