Kurtis Rourke wasn’t sure that he wanted to play an extra season in college but a leap of faith and a terrific partnership and fit with Indiana football has seen his stock skyrocket up NFL Draft boards, with the full expectation of being selected in this spring’s draft.
Rourke finished his final season at Indiana with 3,042 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions. His season was one of the best in IU history, and around the country. Going into the College Football Playoff, he led the nation in passing efficiency (181.4) and led the Big Ten in passing touchdowns (27) and fewest interceptions (4). The three-time Offensive Player of the Week in the league, Rourke became the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to throw for 250 yards and at least three touchdowns in the first three conference road games.
He also finished in the top-10 of the Heisman voting.
Now, Rourke is among the top quarterbacks on the draft board — listed as the sixth-best QB, per ESPN’s Mel Kiper.
Rourke is behind Shedder Sanders, Cam Ward, Jalen Milroe, Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers, in that order. Rourke is listed above fellow Big Ten QB Dillon Gabriel.
Before Rourke’s season at Indiana, he played 36 games at Ohio throwing for 7,666 career yards with 50 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. In 2022, Rourke threw for 3,257 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and four interceptions before an ACL injury ended his season. He was still named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year.
“Researched him, liked him on tape. This was a great opportunity for him based on our track record with quarterbacks and the guys we were adding to the portal,” IU head coach Curt Cignetti said. “And obviously he has thrived.”
Rourke led Indiana football to its best season in program history, an 11-2 record with a College Football Playoff appearance.
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