Coach of 2025 Michigan DL commit Bobby Kanka talks decision, scheme fit, Mike Elston

Michigan landed its third verbal commit and first in-stater in the 2025 class last week in defensive lineman Bobby Kanka.

The standout pass rusher from Howell (Mich.) High announced his pledge a couple of days after the BBQ at The Big House, picking the Wolverines over Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, Northwestern, Kansas and others.

“He’s really worked hard for this opportunity,” Howell High head coach Brian Lewis told The Wolverine. “Not just specifically with football but working hard to make good decisions. Doing things in the classroom the right way. Being a great leader. Those little things are the reasons why coaches like us are so proud of him.”

Residing less than 30 minutes away from Ann Arbor, Kanka has visited campus at least 10 times since last year’s spring camp. Michigan’s prioritization of the 6-foot-4, 263-pounder over 18 months made the decision to shut down his recruitment simpler while not having to undergo the process further.

“To be honest, since I’ve gotten into high school football, most guys want the process until the process gets too stressful (laughs),” Lewis said. “But it was great for Bob. He has a great head on his shoulders. He comes from a great family. I thought the process itself went pretty good for them. They vented out a lot of schools. They built those relationships. But at the end of the day, Coach Elston and Michigan were elite in how they approached everything. Bob’s happy with his decision.”

Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston was the primary recruiter for Kanka as their connection grew closer and closer leading up to the commitment. At the barbecue, Kanka worked out in front of Elston after doing the same a month before at U-M’s Big Man Camp.

“Coach Elston was great,” Lewis said. “He came in as a family man and a high character man. He did a great job of building a relationship with Bob. He was also down-to-earth. When you see him and Bob walking down the hall, those are big individuals coming through (laughs). You can tell that Elston’s played. He was great from start to finish. That’s why Bob is playing Michigan.”

The Wolverines were the third Division I school to offer Kanka and the consistency afterwards left a significant impression on everyone involved.

“When a school offers you without having other schools offer you, that speaks volumes about what they think of you as a player,” Lewis said. “I can’t say that enough. Michigan was one of the first schools to offer Bob. They didn’t need anyone else to offer him. They liked him and offered him. I think that speaks volumes for any coaching staff to do that for any kid. It just so happened to be Michigan here with Bob being extremely fortunate.”

Relationships with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and head coach Jim Harbaugh were key in Kanka’s commitment as well. But the overarching view of what Michigan can provide the incoming junior as a student-athlete completed the search.

“I have to tell you, we’re really excited about Coach Harbaugh and Coach Minter,” Lewis said. “They do a really good job. It was also about Michigan, the school, Bob’s relationship with Coach Elston, all of those things. We also know this in football where there are sometimes schematic and coaching changes. So when we talked about making a decision, it was focusing on the growth of Bob in that institution.”

Lewis served as a graduate assistant at Michigan under the Brady Hoke administration so his past career experiences provided more insight into the program.

“As a coach, my job is to be supportive,” Lewis said. “With Bob and his family, I tried to open their eyes and minds with things they hadn’t seen or thought of before. As schools kept coming in, we were able to talk them through. Having experience with the recruiting process and knowing what that’s like, I know both sides. Hopefully, I can alleviate some stress and do a good job of trying to get our kids recruited.”

Lewis said that Kanka’s work ethic shown this offseason has given him the tools to develop his explosiveness, hands, bending and range of motion, which will help him find his fit on the defensive line in college. He starts on both sides of the ball at Howell.

“Bob is a big athlete so you can’t put anything past him,” Lewis said. “Maybe some inside shade technique at d-end. Maybe a strong-side d-end type of deal where he’s the inside shade. Michigan is going to have some really good options with him because he’s long, athletic and cares. He’ll do a lot of things there.”

Kanka joins Top 100 Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Chris Ewald and rising Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Mantrez Walker on Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class. The trio ranks No. 8 overall in the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference behind Penn State.

“It’s huge for Bob, Howell and our community,” Lewis said. “We’re really excited to have him because he’s a great teammate. It’s a huge deal in the fact that we have a guy who’s so committed, has a high character and is that type of person who we want representing Howell. Obviously, all of Howell is excited. Text messages galore (laughs). We’re a one-school community so they have our back. Friday night football is huge here and that’ll stay that way with Bob here.”

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