Morgan Park’s Nasir Rankin is always up for new challenges. After committing to Illinois, Rankin hopes to not only play both ways on the football field for the Illini but also wants to play basketball.
So, it’s no surprise that Rankin was excited to try something different Saturday. For the first time, the senior receiver/defensive back took some snaps at quarterback in the Wildcat formation.
“It’s been great,” Rankin said. “I can get the ball in every way, in my opinion. The coaches are doing a good job of finding ways to get me the ball. I’m being doubled a lot, so it’s about finding easier ways to get the ball in my hands so I can make plays.”
Rankin, as usual, was the biggest playmaker on the field. He ran for an 11-yard touchdown and caught a 30-yard TD pass from Ronald Smith Jr. to help the Mustangs roll to a 40-0 Public League Metro win over Bulls Prep at Gately Stadium in Chicago.
Smith added a 4-yard TD run for Morgan Park (1-2, 1-0), which continued its recent league dominance after opening the season with setbacks to two nonconference powerhouses — losing 11-8 to Downers Grove North and 33-6 to Nazareth.
Trenton Hurley threw a 59-yard TD pass to Lucas Davis Jr. for the Mustangs, while Reggie Gray Jr. ran for a 5-yard TD and Darrell Mattison returned the game’s opening kickoff 65 yards for a TD.
Morgan Park’s Nasir Rankin (7) runs the ball against Bulls Prep in the third quarter of a Public League Metro game at Gately Stadium in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
Ole Miss recruit Carmelow Reed led a dominant defense that held Bulls Prep (2-1, 0-1) to 35 yards. Antonio Richardson chipped in with an interception.
Morgan Park struggled to hit full gear on offense until moving Rankin to quarterback provided a spark. The Mustangs played five QBs in the game, including Rankin and Gray in the Wildcat.
Morgan Park coach Chris James said the team just started practicing this week with Rankin at quarterback.
“If you give a great player enough touches, he’ll do something special,” James said. “It becomes a chess match in getting your best player the ball when he’s a receiver and the opponent adjusts.
Morgan Park’s Nasir Rankin (7) makes a move against Bulls Prep in the third quarter of a Public League Metro game at Gately Stadium in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
“Young quarterbacks have to be able to match the chess match, but these guys are early in their development and we wanted to find a way to make it easier to get our best player the ball.”
Rankin’s two TDs came on back-to-back plays from scrimmage. After his 11-yard scoring run, the Mustangs recovered an onside kick and Smith hit Rankin for a 30-yard TD pass on the next play to make it 28-0 midway through the second quarter.
Morgan Park led 40-0 at halftime.
Reed, who is new at Morgan Park after transferring from Rich Township, loves having Rankin as a teammate.
Morgan Park’s Reggie Gray Jr. (3) gets tackled by Bulls Prep’s Reginald Courtland (0) in the first quarter of a Public League Metro game at Gately Stadium in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
“It excites me a lot watching him,” Reed said. “Playing alongside a player like him is surreal. I’ve never had that before, so I’m just going to cherish it while I’ve got it.”
Rankin, who is rated as a four-star athlete by 247 Sports, committed in May to Illinois, picking his home-state team over Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa and others.
Since making that choice, Rankin feels more free to focus on this season with the Mustangs.
“Committing definitely has taken the stress away from everything,” Rankin said. “I’m 100% committed to Illinois, so I don’t really worry about talking to any coaches. It’s all stress-free.
“They’re ranked No. 9. Beat Indiana (on Saturday) and move up more. I’m excited.”
Morgan Park’s Nasir Rankin (7) turns the corner against Bulls Prep in the third quarter of a Public League Metro game at Gately Stadium in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)
And about that dream of being a two-sport athlete in the Big Ten?
Rankin is committed to chasing it.
“That’s my goal,” Rankin said. “First year, I’ll probably see how football goes and see if I catch a rhythm and then transfer over to basketball however they want to do it.
“That’s really still my plan, though. I really want to do it.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/14/nasir-rankin-morgan-park-ihsa-football-illinois-recruit/