Justin Rankin (born June 22, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Kent State and Northwest Missouri State. He has also been a member of the Bismarck Bucks, Frisco Fighters, and Bay Area Panthers of the Indoor Football League (IFL).
| No. 31 Edmonton Elks | |
| Born: | June 22, 1997 Oberlin, Ohio, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | RB |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| College | Kent State (2016–2018) Northwest Missouri State (2019) |
| High school | Elyria Catholic (OH) |
| NFL draft | 2020, undrafted |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2021 | Bismarck Bucks |
| 2022 | Frisco Fighters |
| 2023 | Bay Area Panthers |
| 2024–present | Edmonton Elks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career stats | |
| |
Early life
editRankin played high school football at Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio, and earned first-team All-Ohio honors three times.[1][2] He rushed for 13 touchdowns his junior year and 15 touchdowns his senior year. He also participated in track and basketball in high school. He garnered all-state recognition in the 200 metres.[1]
College career
editRankin first played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes from 2016 to 2018.[1] He played in 11 games, all starts, during his rookie season in 2016, rushing for a team-leading 511 yards and three touchdowns, catching 28 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown, and returning six kickoffs for 140 yards.[1] He appeared in all 12 games, starting 11, in 2017, recording 490 rushing yards for three touchdowns, and 42 receptions for 311 yards two touchdowns. Rankin led the team in rushing yards for the second consecutive season and also led the team in receptions. He played in 12 games in 2018, running for 574 yards and four touchdowns while also catching 14 passes for 127 and one touchdown, and returning 13 kicks for 241 yards.[1]
Rankin transferred to play for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in 2019.[3] He appeared in 14 games for the Bearcats, totaling 1,050 rushing yards for 13 touchdowns, and 34 receptions for 371 yards and four touchdowns.[4]
Professional career
editRankin went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft.[5][6]
Bismarck Bucks
editRankin played for the Bismarck Bucks of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2021, running for 454 yards and 15 touchdowns.[7]
Frisco Fighters
editRankin played for the Frisco Fighters of the IFL in 2022, recording a league-leading 776 rushing yards during the regular season and tying for second with 28 rushing touchdowns.[7] He earned first-team All-IFL honors.[8][7]
Bay Area Panthers
editRankin joined the IFL's Bay Area Panthers for the 2023 season, and recorded 791 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns during the regular season, garnering second-team All-IFL accolades.[9] The Panthers later won the IFL National Championship by defeating the Sioux Falls Storm by a score of 51–41.[10]
Edmonton Elks
editRankin was signed by the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on November 23, 2023.[11] He was released on May 19, 2024, but later signed to the team's practice roster on July 21. He was promoted to the active roster on August 2.[12] On August 17, 2024, Rankin rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a 47–22 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 11.[13] He was named Pro Football Focus' CFL Offensive Player of the Week for Week 11.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Justin Rankin". kentstatesports.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Behm, Jon (July 15, 2021). "High school football: Elyria Catholic's Justin Rankin dashes all over the state". morningjournal.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Walker, Jon (April 23, 2020). "Justin Rankin departs Northwest football with hopes of landing in the NFL". nwmissourinews.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Justin Rankin". bearcatsports.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Dea, Micaela (April 10, 2020). "Former Northwest RB Justin Rankin confident in making NFL dreams come true". newspressnow.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Justin Rankin". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Justin Rankin". bayareapanthers.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "IFL ANNOUNCES 2022 ALL-IFL FIRST TEAM". goifl.com. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Howe, Tyler (July 26, 2023). "IFL ANNOUNCES 2023 ALL-IFL SECOND TEAM OFFENSE". goifl.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Dave (August 5, 2023). "Panthers beat Sioux Falls to win IFL National Championship". bayareapanthers.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Edmonton Elks Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Edmonton Elks Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Rankin rushes for three touchdowns to power Elks to 47-22 road win over Ticats". torontosun.com. August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Vesnaver, Bryson (August 20, 2024). "CFL Week 11: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards". pff.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.