Justin Rankin

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).

Early life Rankin played high school football at Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio, and earned first-team All-Ohio honors three times. 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.

College career Rankin first played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes from 2016 to 2018. 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.

Professional career

Rankin went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft.

Bismarck Bucks Rankin played for the Bismarck Bucks of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2021, running for 454 yards and 15 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-IFL honors. The Panthers later won the IFL National Championship by defeating the Sioux Falls Storm by a score of 51–41.

Edmonton Elks Rankin was signed by the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on November 23, 2023. 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. 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. He was named Pro Football Focus' CFL Offensive Player of the Week for Week 11. . Additionally Rankin led CFL running backs in yards per carry with 7.8 (2024)

In the 2025 season, Justin Rankin was named the Edmonton Elks' Most Outstanding Player (MOP). Rankin led the CFL in offensive yards with 1,726 and big plays with 17 during the 2025 campaign. He also recorded the second-biggest rushing performance in Edmonton Elks franchise history, rushing for 204 yards against the Calgary Stampeders during the Labour Day Rematch on September 6, 2025

On October 7, 2025, Rankin signed a two-year extension with the Elks through the 2027 season.

Career statistics CFL Year Team Games Rushing Receiving 2024 EDM 11 4 98 765 7.8 5 9 52 5.8 1 2025 EDM 18 18 191 1,013 5.3 9 56 713 12.7 4 2026 EDM 9 9 101 651 6.4 7 37 418 11.3 1 Career 38 31 390 2,429 6.2 21 102 1,183 11.6 6

IFL Year Team Games Rushing Receiving 2021 Bismarck 15 117 454 3.9 15 43 306 7.3 8 2022 Frisco 17 168 776 4.6 28 22 231 10.5 4 2023 Bay Area 17 212 923 4.4 45 27 267 9.9 3 Career 49 497 2,153 4.3 88 92 804 8.7 15 IFL statistics include postseason games, as the Indoor Football League did not separate regular season and postseason statistics in its official records.

College Year Team Games Rushing Receiving 2016 Kent State 11 108 511 4.7 3 28 335 12.0 1 2017 Kent State 12 123 490 4.0 3 42 311 7.4 2 2018 Kent State 12 117 574 4.9 4 14 127 9.1 1 2019 NW Missouri State 14 191 1,050 5.5 13 34 371 10.9 4 FBS career 35 348 1,575 4.5 10 84 773 9.2 4 D-II career 14 191 1,050 5.5 13 34 371 10.9 4