Skip to main content
indiana logo

Kurtis Rourke selected No. 227 overall by San Francisco 49ers in 2025 NFL Draft

0a7j0Tm2_400x400 (1)by:Colin McMahon•04/26/25•

ColinMcMahon31

Syndication: USA TODAY
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) warms up before the first-round game of the College Football Playoff.

Former Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been selected with the No. 227 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Rourke becomes the second Hoosier to be drafted in 2025, following defensive tackle C.J. West who was selected by the 49ers as well in the fourth round.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound QB from Oakville, Ontario, Canada is the first Indiana quarterback to be drafted since Nate Sudfeld was picked in the 6th round in 2016, while he’s the first Canadian QB to hear his name called since Jesse Palmer was picked in the 4th round of the 2001 draft.

Rourke spent only the 2024 season with the Hoosiers, but he certainly made his mark on the program in Indiana’s historic 11-2 campaign. The starting signal caller passed for 3,042 yards and threw 29 touchdowns in 2024.

Rourke’s 29 touchdown passes were a single-season Indiana record, while his completion percentage of 69.4 also set an IU program record. His 181.4 passer rating was the highest in all of FBS and he was ranked in the top three in the Big Ten in nearly every passing statistic, earning him Second Team All-Big Ten honors.

All this is impressive enough, but after reports brought to light that Rourke played the 2024 season on a partially-torn ACL, the year he had becomes even more eye-catching.

Beyond his individual stats, Rourke led Indiana to its first 10-win season in program history, while also earning the Hoosiers a berth in the College Football Playoff for the first time. His accuracy stood out throughout the season, while he also displayed a strong deep ball that was used on several occasions in Indiana’s record-breaking year.

Before joining the Hoosiers, Rourke spent four years at Ohio University, where he redshirted his freshman season in 2019 but blossomed in his next three seasons with the Bobcats. In 2022 as a redshirt junior, Rourke was the Mid American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while in 2023 he was named Second Team All-MAC.

He totaled over 7,000 yards with Ohio, giving Rourke over 10,000 passing yards in his impressive career. This led to his invitation to the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where he ranked as the 9th-best quarterback that participated, making his selection in the draft no surprise.

Rourke’s ability to put the ball on the money anywhere on the field should translate nicely to the NFL, as he’s finally got his shot with his selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

HIGHLIGHTS


NFL DRAFT BIO (NFL.com)

Overview

Rourke earns a draftable grade because of his size, experience and production. He’s coming off an ACL tear, but the injury might not have a major impact on his draft slotting since his game isn’t built on mobility. Rourke’s evaluation requires 2023 tape to get a feel for his delivery and velocity when his knee is stable. While he can make pro throws, the accuracy and placement is average. He’s a decent field-reader who throws with adequate touch and anticipation. Rourke played winning football in 2024 and he’s plenty tough, but he needs to take better care of the football if he wants to stick with an NFL team.

Strengths

  • Prototypical size for an NFL pocket passer.
  • Rarely panics when defense brings extra rushers.
  • Shows flashes of desired touch on second- and third-level throws.
  • Sneaky effective at eluding pressure despite average mobility.
  • The UCLA game in 2024 best shows his potential.
  • Gutted out an entire season on a torn ACL.

Not yet a member of TheHoosier? Take advantage of our launch with On3 and join our community! Just $1 for your FIRST MONTH and then 50% off the rest of your FIRST YEAR! Join here.

You may also like