Nov 23, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Kurtis Rourke QB Indiana | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kurtis Rourke QB Indiana
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/16/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.74 seconds (69%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 02/16/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.74 seconds (69%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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90% |
| Short Passing: |
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86% |
| Medium Passing: |
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94% |
| Long Passing: |
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92% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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58% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#138
Position rank:
#10
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| College Games: 47 College Snaps: 2750 | ||
ESPN RATING: 70/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 79/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tanner McKee - Stanford |
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79% |
| Kyle Trask - Florida |
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69% |
| Carson Strong - Nevada |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A tale of two journeys defines Kurtis Rourke's path to the NFL Draft. The Ontario native first carved out his legacy at Ohio University, where he rewrote the program's record books over five seasons, culminating in 7,651 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. But it was his final act - a stunning transfer to Indiana for his sixth year - that truly cemented his draft stock. Despite playing through a partially torn ACL, Rourke orchestrated the Hoosiers' improbable run to the College Football Playoff, setting the school's single-season touchdown record with 29 scores through the air.The 6'5", 231-pound signal caller's journey began at Holy Trinity High School, where he amassed 4,250 passing yards and 63 touchdowns while earning two league MVP nods. Following his brother Nathan's footsteps to Ohio University, Rourke gradually ascended from redshirt freshman to MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, when he posted a stellar 69.1 completion percentage and 3,256 passing yards. That season included a program-record 537-yard performance against Fordham.
Rourke's decorated career includes multiple Academic All-MAC selections, showcasing his intellectual approach to the game. His 2024 campaign at Indiana proved transformative - completing 75% of his passes in a statement win over Northwestern and tying the program record with six touchdown passes against Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket game. Despite the late-season ACL setback requiring January surgery, his 3,042 passing yards and remarkable efficiency in the Big Ten elevated his draft profile significantly.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Masterful pocket mechanics translate to NFL-ready throwing platform - consistently steps into throws with proper weight transfer and follow-through
- Processes coverage rotations with veteran savvy, showing particular expertise at identifying and exploiting zone vulnerabilities pre-snap
- Demonstrates pristine timing on intermediate routes, consistently hitting receivers in stride between the hashes with surgical precision
- Natural feel for layering passes over linebackers - shows advanced touch when working the middle of the field
- Commands the line of scrimmage with authority, routinely getting offense into advantageous play calls against defensive looks
- Clean, repeatable delivery leads to consistent ball placement - particularly impressive when working quick game concepts
- Tough as nails in the pocket - willing to take hits to deliver strikes, as evidenced by playing through ACL tear
- Elite production in the 10-20 yard range shows advanced ability to drive balls into tight windows with anticipation
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited improvisational ability when plays break down - struggles to create outside structure when first read is covered
- Deep ball lacks ideal zip past 40 yards - tends to put too much air under vertical throws leading to underthrows
- Shows concerning blind side awareness issues - took several big hits from rushers he never sensed coming
- Advanced age (24) as a sixth-year senior raises questions about remaining developmental ceiling at the next level
- Athletic limitations become apparent when forced off platform - accuracy dips significantly when throwing on the move
- January 2025 ACL surgery creates short-term availability questions and potential impact on early rookie season development
Scouting Report: Summary
Rourke projects as a high-floor backup quarterback who could develop into a spot starter in a timing-based passing attack that emphasizes quick game concepts and intermediate throws. His processing speed and accuracy from clean pockets will translate immediately to NFL game speed, though his ceiling is capped by athletic limitations.His ideal fit would be with a team running a West Coast system that can maximize his anticipation and ball placement on rhythm throws while minimizing the need for second-reaction plays. While he won't wow anyone with physical tools, Rourke's intelligence, toughness, and consistency from the pocket make him an attractive Day 3 target for teams seeking a reliable backup who can execute their base offense.
The ACL surgery adds some short-term uncertainty, but Rourke's track record of production across multiple levels of competition suggests he can be a capable NFL signal caller when healthy. His combination of size, experience, and processing ability gives him a clear path to sticking in the league, even if he may never develop into a full-time starter.
How other scouting services rate Kurtis Rourke (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
180.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.