Wisconsin Football Making Moves to Flip 4-Star Michigan Commit

Luke Fickell and the University of Wisconsin football coaches are in the middle trying to flip a recruit from the defending national champions. 

Badgers defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow made the trip to Howell, Michigan, to connect with four-star Wolverines commit Bobby Kanka. 

Although Kanka has been committed to Michigan since last August, the Wisconsin football staff extended him a scholarship offer. The Badgers hope to make a late push and get Kanka on campus for an official visit this summer. 

A big thanks to Wisconsin’s dline Coach Whit, who flew in this morning to come to Howell HS and spend time with Bobby, Bev and myself. pic.twitter.com/qlkqI4VhTP

— Tom Kanka (@tkanka33) May 15, 2024

According to the composite rankings, Kanka is the nation’s No. 372 recruit, the No. 41 defensive lineman, and the No. 3 player in Michigan. 

During his junior season at Howell High School, the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder racked up 38 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, and 8.0 sacks in just six games. 

Former Badgers defensive line coach Greg Scruggs left Wisconsin this offseason to accept the same position at Michigan under new head coach Sherrone Moore. Scruggs was briefly expected to be Kanka’s position coach at UM.

However, that stint lasted two weeks, and Scruggs resigned from his position following an arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Lou Esposito wound up replacing him. 

Despite Kanka’s current commitment to Michigan, he is keeping his recruitment open. He has an official visit lined up with Michigan State on June 14th, followed by a trip to Tennessee on June 21st. Although nothing is set in stone at this time, the Wisconsin football team has a puncher’s chance. 

As it stands, the Badgers would like to bring in at least four defensive linemen in the 2025 recruiting class. Wisconsin football has zero players committed on the defensive line after losing in-state product Torin Pettaway, who surprisingly flipped his commitment to Minnesota. 

The Wisconsin Badgers are in a good spot with targets such as Gordy Sulfsted, Kade Pietrzak, Drayden Pavey, and Brad Fitzgibbon. With official visits on the horizon, those spots could start filling up by the end of June if all goes well.

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