The first of three seventh-round selections (pick 227 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft for the San Francisco 49ers was an interesting one, as it went to quarterback Kurtis Rourke of Indiana University.
Rourke (6-4, 220) is coming off a memorable season for the Hoosiers, in which he threw for 2,827 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading them to an unexpected spot in the College Football Playoff. He did it while playing with a significant injury, as we're about to discuss.
Let's get into what to know about Rourke as he heads to the NFL.
Bumps and bruises
Rourke missed a game during the 2024 season after surgery for a broken thumb. He played through the injury, helping finish the Hoosiers' playoff run. But that was only half of what he was dealing with.
Rourke told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that he played with a partially torn ACL in 2024, which he sustained during a practice before the season. The ACL became fully torn at some point during the regular season.
"I was healthy enough to play, and all that's mattered to me," Rourke said, via the Indiana Daily Student. "I wanted to make sure I gave it everything I had this year, especially being my last year. And if I was feeling great, I was going to play, no matter what was going on."
Playing through injury showed Rourke's toughness, and in his mind, proved to NFL scouts that he has what it takes to play in the league.
"I look back and look at how great the team did and how well I was able to perform with a torn ACL," Rourke said, "and so I just look at it and want to tell teams that if I did that on a torn ACL and a broken thumb, imagine what I could do when I'm fully healthy."
Rourke is coming off surgery and is not expected to be healthy to participate in spring workouts. He is aiming to be ready by training camp.
Watch Rourke's injury story below:
A family thing
Rourke, who hails from Ontario, Canada, draws inspiration from his brother Nathan, who like Kurtis had to find a way to get attention from south of the border in order to continue his football career. Nathan transferred to Edgewood Academy in Elmore, Alabama to play his final season of high school football, then he wound up at Fort Scott Community College before getting a spot at Ohio University. Nathan was a three-year starter and twice won the Jon Cornish Trophy, given annually to the top Canadian football player in the NCAA.
Kurtis followed a similar path to Nathan. Not many American colleges were interested in Kurtis even though he was rated as Canada's top prospect, but Ohio University gave him a chance.
"I owe everything to Ohio for giving me a chance," Rourke said.
Rourke had a prolific career at Ohio before transferring to Indiana. He threw for 7,650 yards, 50 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with the Bobcats, along with 11 rushing touchdowns on 832 yards. And, like his brother, Rourke took home a Jon Cornish Trophy of his own in 2024, while also finishing in the top ten in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
A proud brother
Nathan Rourke is currently putting up big numbers in the CFL after getting a shot in the NFL with the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and New England Patriots. But he'll be watching Kurtis from afar and cheering him on as he attempts to win a spot with the 49ers.
"They have a really special friendship," mother Robyn told Sportsnet Canada. "It's quite remarkable. They've been competitive, always in a really healthy sense ... There is sincere brotherly love and support. They call each other first for anything football, even life stuff. I think they're best friends and it's always been that way, There really hasn't been a time in their lives they have not been like that."
What the 49ers are getting
Rourke joins a quarterback room that includes Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, and Tanner Mordecai. His injury status -- and whether or not the 49ers want to keep a third quarterback -- will go a long way in determining if he makes the roster.
According to NFL.com, Rourke proved to be a draftable prospect despite his injury but showed a tendency to put too many passes in a dangerous spot.
"Rourke's evaluation requires 2023 tape to get a feel for his delivery and velocity when his knee is stable," wrote Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. "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."
Daniel Harms of The 33rd Team praised Rourke's football knowledge but doesn't expect him to be more than a backup in the NFL.
"Rourke operates the quick game at a high level with a good understanding of defensive shells and pre-snap looks," wrote Harms. "His football IQ and leadership significantly impacted Indiana's offense, and the RPOs were smooth and executed with great timing... While he has the NFL-size teams will be looking for, Rourke is an older prospect (24) with less athletic upside who profiles as a better backup quarterback."
Watch Rourke's highlights below:
Proud to represent
Rourke, according to ESPN, very much carried Canada with him across the border during his time in college. He wore a shirt with a Canadian flag around team facilities at Indiana and bought an NBA League Pass to follow the Toronto Raptors.
"I'm very proud to be Canadian," Rourke told ESPN in 2024. "I don't shy away from talking about it, talking about where I'm from and where I was raised because that really shaped me into who I am."