Kurtis Rourke NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Indiana QB

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Kurtis Rourke NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Indiana QB
BR NFL Scouting Department
December 18, 2024

HEIGHT: 6’5

WEIGHT: 223

POSITIVES

— Throwback pocket passer with traditional height to see over NFL OL.

— Throws with NFL-caliber anticipation from clean pockets; ready to throw before WR breaks.

— Football IQ, reads coverages well and handles full-field progressions; works through them.

— Timing and rhythm passer with an average arm to target the short and intermediate areas of the field.

NEGATIVES

— Older prospect with a limited developmental ceiling.

— Doesn’t create for himself when protection begins to breakdown.

— Making throws on the move, off-platform, and off-script are concerns.

— Struggles to maintain passing efficiency when the defense moves him off his spot.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 25, 2000

— 2-Star recruit in 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2023: All-MAC Second Team

— 2022: MAC Offensive Player of the Year; All-MAC First Team

OVERALL

Kurtis Rourke personifies a traditional, throwback pocket-passer.

Rourke boasts a traditional build for a pocket passer. With his height and pocket navigation, he finds throwing lanes well. He is a successful timing and rhythm passer from the pocket. Rourke anticipates throwing lanes, and his receiver’s break like a savvy veteran. In clean pockets, he works through his progressions to find the open receiver. Rourke’s top trait is accurately layering passes over and past second-level defenders.

Rourke flashes toughness to stand tall with a free-running defender bearing down and delivering accurate passes to his targets. He possesses above-average arm talent to make NFL throws on a routine basis. Timing is pivotal to Rourke’s passing success from the pocket, where he can get the ball out in optimal time to defeat coverage. There are instances of functional mobility to get out of the pocket and use his legs.

Unfortunately, this is not to be heavily relied upon. Rourke is not an off-script quarterback to make high-level plays when forced off his spot. Constant pressure throughout a game disrupts his timing and comfort level in the pocket. Rourke’s mechanics go awry, and decision-making deteriorates when defenses are constantly in the backfield. He tends to pre-determine reads and targets based on pre-snap looks. This results in being tricked and baited into bad decisions, assuming the coverage picture isn’t changing post-snap. Rourke’s arm talent is sufficient, but lacks the power needed to make certain throws at the next level. His deep throws lose steam the further he attempts to push down the field. He flashes hesitancy on drive-throws with tighter windows.

Overall, Kurtis Rourke is a pure pocket passer who thrives on timing and accuracy inside clean pockets. He offers a solid floor as a player. As an older prospect, he does not have much developmental upside to bank on. He projects as a high-quality backup QB with starter upside in the right situation.