Rankin played all of his junior football in Shepparton before playing senior football at Wunghnu in the Picola League. Rankin also played American Football for 5 years and was selected to the Victorian State Team. In addition to that, he has also had a long and successful career playing First Eleven Cricket for Old Carey Cricket Club in the ECA.
Along with his playing experience, Rankin also has extensive experience in coaching at both Senior and Junior levels. As head coach of the Old Carey Cricket Club, he took all 3 teams to the finals. He coached Werribee Cricket Club U17A’s to a grand final in 2017. Rankin also coached the Werribee Districts Junior Football Club in the same year where the U15A’s made the grand final with Rankin as Assistant Coach. Since 2017 Rankin has been apart of the Western Jets but now he's in charge of the athletic development while he completes his AFL Level 2 Coaching accreditation.