The Story Kurtis Rourke Wants To Convey To NFL Is A Tale Of Toughness

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana had its NFL Pro Day on Tuesday at Memorial Stadium and Mellencamp Pavilion. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke was always going to be one of the former Hoosiers to get the highest level of interest given his career accomplishments and success in leading Indiana to the College Football Playoff in 2024.

Rourke was unable to take part in any of the activities at Pro Day, however, due to the surgery he had on his right knee. It was to repair an ACL tear.

By now, most Indiana fans know the story of Rourke. He tore the ACL before the 2024 season and played through the injury – a true demonstration of toughness.

Now Rourke has to convince NFL teams of his abilities as a quarterback - and that playing through such an injury demonstrates his commitment to the game and that he’s willing to endure a lot to lead his team.

Obviously, NFL teams wanted to know the full story of Rourke’s situation – something he was ready for when he went to the NFL Combine last week. Rourke did not take part in any throwing drills, but conducted many interviews with NFL teams.

“I like to explain the stories and say to (NFL teams) truthfully, but also in a way to show that I only missed one game and I had a torn ACL and a broken thumb,” Rourke said. “(Toughness) was a talking point, for sure, because a lot of them didn't really understand or know I did that. You know that you could even play with those injuries, but it's a fun story to tell.”

Rourke has made it clear that while he felt discomfort in his knee last summer, he didn’t know at the time that it was a torn ACL.

“(Indiana athletic training staff) were telling me that I could play on it. And so that's all I kind of needed. Thankfully, I stayed in the pocket a lot more last year than in other years and so that helped a bunch,” Rourke explained.

“There was definitely some uncomfortability. And I wasn't playing fully healthy, but I just wanted to be out there, play and continue the season,” Rourke added.

While the NFL Combine was limited to interviews for Rourke, it was still an eye-opening experience for him to experience football at its highest level.

“It was really awesome just being around the best of the best and being able to meet a bunch of teams and kind of go through that process and that interview process. Even though I wasn't able to physically do anything, it was one of the more valuable experiences,” Rourke said.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke didn't take part in any formal drills at Indiana's Pro Day, but he did throw a little bit informally at Mellencamp Pavilion on March 4, 2025. | Hoosiers On SI | Todd Golden

Interviews with NFL teams consisted of many questions about his knee – Rourke is hoping to start throwing again within the month – but it wasn’t completely limited to that. NFL teams also wanted to get to know Rourke’s role in helping the Hoosiers go 11-2 on their way to a College Football Playoff berth.

“There was a lot about the season. It was something that put Indiana on a map, the way that the team played and the season went,” Rourke said. “I was just trying to convey that I was just grateful to be a part of such a great team, and that it's going to help prepare me for the next level and just this one year has developed me a ton.”

Most of the Indiana players who have exhausted their eligibility went their separate ways after the season to workout on their own. Rourke was happy to get a taste of the old feeling again being around his former Hoosiers teammates.

He was supportive of all of his teammates, and even some of the players from visiting schools, as he encouraged them during their drills.

“I love all these guys. We've been in these journeys for over a year now. So just being able to be there for those guys and hype them up – I just like to see them succeed,” Rourke said.

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