Bobby Kanka

Class:
Freshman
Position:
DL
Height:
6-4
Weight:
305
Hometown:
Howell, Mich.
High School:
Howell

CAREER HIGHS

• Tackles: 1 - vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 13, 2025)
• Solos: 1 - vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 13, 2025)
• Asst: none
• TFLs: 1.0 - vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 13, 2025)
• Sacks: none
• Int: none
• FR: none
• PBUs: none

At Michigan
• One-time letter winner (2025)

Freshman (2025)
• Appeared in one game along the defensive line; made one tackle for loss to earn his first varsity letter
• Made his collegiate debut and picked up a TFL from the interior against Central Michigan (Sept. 13)

Prep
• Attended Howell High School (2025) coached by Brian Lewis
• Howell Highlanders went 11-1 in his senior season with a regional championship appearance
• Began his career at Pinckney High School (2021) and transferred to Howell High School (2022-24)
• First-ever freshman to start on varsity at Pinckney
• Also competed in baseball, basketball, and track and field at Pinckney and track and field at Howell

Key Statistics
• Two-way contributor who has played at tight end, offensive line, and defensive line
• Part of a defense that kept six teams at or under 14 points during the year; allowed 18.5 regular-season points per game during 2024 season
• Posted 38 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 9.0 TFLs, and three forced fumbles in five games as a junior
• Recorded 36 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 7.0 TFLs, and two forced fumbles in five-plus games as a sophomore

Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of three stars; the No. 491 overall player nationally, the No. 54 defensive lineman and the No. 7 player in the state of Michigan
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 42 defensive lineman and the No. 9 player in the state of Michigan
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 90 player in the midwest region, the No. 62 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 15 player in the state of Michigan
• Rivals.com three-star prospect, the No. 13 defensive end in the nation and the No. 4 player in Michigan
• On3.com three-star consensus prospect, the No. 499 player overall, the No. 49 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 11 player in Michigan
• On3.com three-star prospect, the No. 50 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 12 player in Michigan
• Prepstar ranking of three stars, the No. 481 player in the country
• Invited to participate in the 2025 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
• Preseason 2024 First-Team Dream Team honoree by Sports Illustrated
• Division 1 All-Region selection (2024)
• Earned All-Region status as a junior in 2023
• Named to the Detroit News All-North Team as a sophomore in 2022
• Detroit News Honorable Mention All-State as a sophomore

Personal
• Bobby Kanka was born July 29, 2006
• Son of Tom and Beverly Kanka
• Father, Tom, played at Hillsdale and in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions