Robert Rands

WR/CB, 5-7, 160, Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue East HS)

Bellevue East standout Robert Rands is one of three in-state products in Nebraska’s 2005 recruiting class, all from the greater Omaha area. Rands was a two-way standout for Coach Jerry Lovell at Bellevue East and helped the Chieftans to a state quarterfinal berth. As a senior, Rands rushed for 1,132 yards and 12 touchdowns, topping the 1,000-yard barrier for the second consecutive season. Rands capped his senior year with a 111-yard effort in the state quarterfinal game against Omaha Westside, including a 63-yard touchdown run. Rands ranks as Bellevue East’s all-time leading rusher with 2,650 yards, while also starring at defensive back, where he earned All-Nebraska honors as a junior. Rands boasts excellent speed and displayed outstanding punt return abilities as a prepster. Rands’ rushing effort as a senior earned him all-class, all-state honors from both the Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star. Rivals.com ranks Rands as the No. 4 prospect in the state of Nebraska, while Scout.com lists him as the No. 40 player on its Midlands Hot 100 list. Rands has great athletic ability, as evidenced by him winning the 2004 Class A state long jump title with a leap of 23-11 ?. Rands, who jumped a personal-best 25-1 ? at the National Junior Olympic meet last summer, has his sights set on the state-record long jump of 24-10 ? held by former NFL great Gale Sayers. Rands enters his senior year as the top returning high school long jumper in the nation. Rands attended Big Red Football School, and also received recruiting interest from Kansas, Iowa, Colorado State and Wyoming. Rands is the son of Tim and Bambi Rands, and was born on Jan. 28, 1987.