The stereotypical view of Canadian-born quarterbacks is that they are generally inferior to their American-born counterparts. Nathan Rourke was the first Canadian quarterback to break that stereotype when he had a successful college football career at Ohio University and then had a breakout season for the BC Lions before trying to make a run for an opportunity in the NFL. Rourke’s younger brother, Kurtis Rourke, initially followed his brother’s footsteps from Oakville, Ontario, to Ohio University. Still, in 2024, Kurtis Rourke had a tremendous breakout season at Indiana University and set a new standard for Canadian quarterbacks.
Kurtis Rourke’s journey to leading the Hoosiers started at Holy Trinity High School in Ontario. The 6’5″, 231-pound quarterback earned an opportunity to follow his brother’s path to Ohio University in 2019. While playing for the Bobcats from 2019 until 2023, Kurtis Rourke played in 34 games, completed 594 out of 896 passes for 7.128 yards and 46 touchdowns, and only threw 16 interceptions. In addition to his outstanding passing stats, Rourke added 1,124 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns with only 207 rushing attempts.
After the 2023 season, Kurtis Rourke made headlines when he decided to transfer from Ohio University to Indiana University for the 2024 season. During that season, the Hoosiers had one of the best seasons in the history of the Indiana football program, battling to an 11-2 record after starting the 2024 season with ten straight wins under the leadership of first-year Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. Rourke and Indiana were able to ride the wave of their success into the first expanded FBS College Football Playoffs. The Hoosiers lost their first playoff game to College Football Playoff semi-finalist Notre Dame 17 to 27.
A big part of the Hoosiers’ success was Rourke’s outstanding play. Rourke played in 12 games in 2024, completing 222 out of 320 passes for 3,042 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He also added 121 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns with 46 rushing attempts.
Recently, Rourke’s outstanding play in 2024 reached legendary status when his agent said that Rourke had played with a torn ACL during the 2024 season. Rourke had initially torn his ACL while playing at Ohio University, but recent reports state that he tore his ACL once again before the start of the 2024 season.
Indiana star QB Kurtis Rourke, a 2025 NFL Draft prospect, will undergo ACL revision surgery Wednesday, per his agent Casey Muir at @octagonfootball.
Rourke is believed to have re-torn his ACL in August — yet amazingly played and led the Hoosiers to the playoff. One tough dude. pic.twitter.com/0bZze2ZMrC
Rourke did not mention his injury to the Indiana University medical staff. For Rourke fans, this admission displays Rourke’s toughness and willingness to overcome all challenges to achieve unmatched success. Rourke will get surgery for his ACL injury, but it may negatively affect how NFL scouts and teams view Rourke heading into the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Aaron Sauter is a 23-veteran high school football coach that is also an fan of all levels of football. He is especially interested in alternative football leagues like the CFL, UFL, and IFL. Aaron enjoys analyzing innovative schemes on offense and defense during his free time.
