NFL Draft
11/21/24
7 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Kurtis Rourke Is This Year’s Diamond In the Rough QB Prospect
In a top-heavy quarterback class for the 2025 NFL Draft, Indiana Hoosiers QB Kurtis Rourke is the unheralded sleeper who could turn into a legitimate starter at the next level.
Rourke faces the toughest test of his college career on Saturday, taking on the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes in a battle with College Football Playoff implications. Regardless of the outcome, Rourke has led the Hoosiers to an unprecedented season, going 10-0 for the first time in program history behind the second-highest-scoring team in the FBS (43.9 points per game).
That offensive production doesn't happen without Rourke, who has battled through a thumb injury on his throwing hand. Despite the injury, the senior quarterback missed just one game and continues to throw the football with remarkable efficiency.
There's a lot to like about Rourke, and his path to Saturday's game is one of the more unlikely stories in college football.
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Rourke's Path to College Football Stardom
Unlike many quarterback prospects in this draft who were top recruits or sons of NFL stars, Rourke came from complete irrelevance before starting for an undefeated Big Ten program.
Rourke received little attention coming out of high school in 2019 as the No. 1 recruit in Canada. The different rules and field size make college coaches hesitant about recruiting players up north, but one MAC program in the Ohio Bobcats was willing to offer him a scholarship.
That scholarship likely wouldn't have happened without his brother, Nathan Rourke, who put up strong numbers as the starting quarterback for the Bobcats.
Rourke waited his turn at Ohio before becoming the starter in 2021. His breakout year came in 2022, earning MAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors with 3,256 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in 11 games before tearing his ACL.
If Arkansas needs a QB, Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke @Kurtis_rourke7 should be on the shortlist.
— Riley McFerran (@RileyMcFerran) December 5, 2023
The 6'5", 231-pound graduate was the 2022 MAC POTY after completing 69.1% of his passes for 3,256 yards and 25 TDs to just 4 INTs.
Look at the elite throws in this video: pic.twitter.com/uP5BWbcpgl
That production dipped a bit in 2023, but Rourke still led the Bobcats to back-to-back seasons with an 8-3 record as the starter. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal and ultimately landed with Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers.
Now, Rourke has the fifth-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy, and while he's unlikely to usurp the likes of Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty, his ascension wouldn't have happened without his opportunity at Ohio.
Elite Production
It's hard to overstate just how impressive Rourke has been in his first season with the Hoosiers.
The box score numbers are impressive on their own. Rourke is completing 71.8 percent of his passes for 10.1 yards per attempt, throwing for 2,410 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His QBR of 88.1 is the second-best in the country behind only Cam Ward, a presumed first-round pick for the Miami Hurricanes.
Advanced metrics are even more impressive for Rourke. According to TruMedia, the Hoosiers quarterback leads the FBS with 0.54 EPA per dropback and has him third with 10.41 adjusted net yards per pass attempt.
While he's been efficient in all parts of the field, Rourke thrives in the intermediate area between 10 and 19 yards downfield compared to other NFL-caliber prospects.
According to Pro Football Focus, he's posting a 140.1 NFL passer rating on intermediate throws, completing 64.6 percent for 12.2 yards per attempt, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception.
It helps that Rourke has many weapons to work with on this new-look Indiana offense. Elijah Sarratt is a prototype X receiver capable of winning with size and body control. At the same time, Miles Cross, Omar Cooper Jr., and Myles Price are electric playmakers with impressive athletic ability.
The Hoosiers also benefit from a terrific run game led by a two-headed monster in Ty Son Lawton and Justice Ellison, who have combined for nearly 1,200 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. That ground game has opened up the play-action pass, where Rourke has completed 82.7 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and just one interception.
Rourke picked apart the Northwestern Wildcats earlier this season with a heavy dose of play-action passes.
⚪ 25/33 CMP
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 6, 2024
🔴 380 YDS
⚪ 3 TD
🔴 0 INT
Kurtis Rourke put up some huge numbers to help No. 23 @IndianaFootball stay perfect.#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/d1ZfNbVPcK
Indiana's offense has been unlocked by an offensive-minded head coach in Cignetti, along with co-offensive coordinators Mike Shanahan (no, not the one you're thinking of) and Tino Sunseri. However, none of their success is possible without an NFL-caliber quarterback like Rourke.
Kurtis Rourke Scouting Report
From an NFL perspective, there's a lot to like about Rourke.
The physical tools and frame immediately stand out for the Hoosiers quarterback. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds, Rourke has terrific size for the position, and the ball zips out of his hand because of that frame.
Unlike other quarterback prospects, Rourke's arm strength doesn't look laboring. His size and clean throwing mechanics allow him to deliver a ball with zip effortlessly, whereas other prospects may need to step into throws and force the velocity into them.
Along with the velocity, Rourke can place the ball just about anywhere. He delivers the ball with excellent timing on his drops, understanding when the ball needs to get out against certain coverages and pressure looks.
His placement stands out on back-shoulder throws, letting receivers like Sarratt with great body control to make sideline catches. That placement also shows up on deep shots and fade balls to put his receivers in position to make impressive 50-50 catches.
Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke has been such a fun story this year. He went from a 5-year MAC player to now firmly on the map as an early-to-mid Day 3 player.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) November 12, 2024
His Michigan tape was a bit rough around the edges, but man is he one of the prettier bucket throwers in the class... pic.twitter.com/ue1sQXZVBp
One of the biggest knocks on Rourke is his lack of athletic ability, which is a valid concern in today's NFL, where dual-threat QBs are becoming the faces of the league. However, Rourke still has good pocket presence to make subtle movements to avoid pressure while still keeping his eyes downfield to deliver an accurate ball.
According to PFF, Rourke still posts a 103.7 passer rating when throwing under pressure.
Hop aboard the Kurtis Rourke train while there are still seats.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) November 8, 2024
New today: On the example Curt Cignetti is setting for offensive coaches everywhere and the play of Rourke this season -- a guy who deserves a lottttt more attention. Heisman and Draft wise.https://t.co/vY74g4jEkK pic.twitter.com/oKlq3ObkE2
The only other major concern that NFL scouts will have is Rourke's advanced age compared to some of the other prospects. He's already 24 years old and will turn 25 earlier in his rookie season.
However, some scouts and teams may view that as a positive, especially given his college playing experience. He already has more than 1,300 dropbacks in his college career, and fans are seeing rookies with significant college experience, like Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, quickly getting acclimated to the NFL level thanks to all of their playing time in college.
Saturday's game against Ohio State will be a massive one for Rourke in the eyes of NFL scouts. If he can perform at a high level, regardless of the end result, there's a good chance that he'll see his draft stock skyrocket ahead of the offseason pre-draft process.
