Kurtis Rourke leads Indiana football into its College Football Playoff matchup against Notre Dame on Dec. 20, 2024.
Rourke, who came to the Hoosiers as first-year coach Curt Cignetti revamped the roster, played five seasons at Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference, starting the past three years. The Bobcats won 10 games in 2022 and ’23 with Rourke as QB.
Rourke has excelled at IU, passing for 2,827 yards with 27 touchdowns against 4 interceptions, and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. He missed one game after surgery to repair a torn thumbnail suffered against Nebraska.
He completed at least 60% of his passes in every game except for IU’s loss to Ohio State, when he was 8-of-18 for 68 yards.
Remember IU’s great season with IndyStar’s commemorative book
Rourke is considered a 4th-round prospect, ranging from the 7th to 11th best among QBs eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Buzz: “The 2024 season at Indiana has forced scouts to reevaluate their initial assessments, as Rourke’s precise ball placement and command of the offense have translated seamlessly to Power Five competition.”
Bleacher Report: “Kurtis Rourke is a pure pocket passer who thrives on timing and accuracy inside clean pockets. He offers a solid floor as a player. As an older prospect, he does not have much developmental upside to bank on. He projects as a high-quality backup QB with starter upside in the right situation.”
33rd Team: “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.”
(according to scouting reports cited above)
(according to scouting reports cited above)
Rourke played five seasons at Ohio in the Mid-American Conference, three as a starter, compiling 7,651 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. He led the MAC in 2022 with 3,257 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.
He played in 11 of IU’s 12 games in 2024, passing for 2,827 yards, 27 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Kurtis Rourke was 9th in Heisman Trophy voting. He was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards and was part of the Davey O’brien Award Class of 2024.
The former Caroline Clippard married Rourke on Feb. 17, 2024. She attended Ohio University.
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