2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 9 Days (Kurtis Rourke)

Written by T.J. Inman

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to IUFB Kickoff is in single digits. With nine days left, we have another double serving of IUFB. First up is quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

Kurtis Rourke

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 222 pounds

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario (transfer from Ohio University)

Class/Position: Redshirt Senior/Quarterback

The triumvirate of Curt Cignetti, Mike Shanahan and Tino Sunseri have had a ton of success with quarterbacks. The past four quarterbacks to play for Cignetti have all won conference player of the year honors. There was no mystery the Hoosiers would bring in a quarterback from the transfer portal. The only question was who that addition would be. Curt Cignetti quickly zeroed in on Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke and the “Maple Missile” was quick to sign on to play in the Big Ten.

Kurtis Rourke began his football career at Holy Trinity Academy in Canada. He was a three-star prospect and enrolled at Ohio, the same school his older brother played at. He redshirted the 2019 season and then started three games (all that the Bobcats played) in 2020 as a redshirt freshman. Rourke began to come into his own during the 2021 season and then took off as a redshirt junior in 2022. He started the first 11 games of the season before missing the final two contests with a knee injury. Rourke threw for 3,256 yards with 25 touchdowns and he added four scores on the ground, earning the MAC Offensive Player of the Year award. He was never quite himself during the 2023 season but he gutted through 11 games and still helped his team with several solid performances. 

Rourke comes to IU with 33 starts and if he is healthy, he will be a major upgrade on what IU got at quarterback in 2023. He is capable of extending plays with his legs and moving outside of the pocket to complete passes. His deep ball accuracy could use some improvement but Rourke will be able to stretch defenses vertically with this receiver group. Kurtis Rourke will line up as QB1 and he’ll serve as the leader of a quarterback with young talents Tayven Jackson and Tyler Cherry. Curt Cignetti has said he sleeps better at night knowing he has a quarterback of the experience and maturity of Kurtis Rourke leading his offense. The time is nearly here for Rourke to take his turn in the spotlight of the Big Ten.

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!