#99

Bobby Kanka

DT · Sophomore

6'4" · 295 lbs · Defense

Also wearing #99: Trey Butkowski (K)

Background

Hometown: Howell, Mich.
High school: Howell

Recruiting

Rating: 3-star (0.8875 247 composite)
National rank: #519
Class: 2025
Source: 247 composite

2026 season

No 2026 stats recorded yet.

Season by season

2025tap to read

• 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

Official bio

Read full bio

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

Official bio on mgoblue.com →