Bay Area Panthers

After a 2022 season of leading all IFL running backs with 776 yards and tying for second in rushing touchdowns with 28 playing for the Frisco Fighters, Justin Rankin heads into his first year with the Bay Area Panthers.  For the great season, Rankin was named 2022 All-IFL First Team.  Coach Arbet calls Rankin's signing the first significant off-season move that paved the way for others to view Bay Area as a desirable location.  In 2021, as a professional football rookie, Rankin joined the Bismarck Buck, leading the team in rushing with 454 yards and 15 touchdowns.    As a Golden Flash at Kent State, in 2017 Rankin led his team in rushing for two consecutive seasons with 490 yards on 123 carries and three touchdowns.  The following year, Rankin had a career high in yards rushes at home with 149 yards against Howard.  Rankin finished his collegiate career at Northwest Missouri State.  At Elyria Catholic High School, Rankin was a three time All-Ohio First Team selection where he also earned all state honors in track and field (200 meters).