Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke named Jon Cornish Trophy winner

Senior Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke was named the Jon Cornish Trophy winner, given annually to the nation’s top player from Canada.

A native of Ontario, Rourke ranked second nationally in QBR (176.0) third in pass yards per attempt (9.5), fifth in passing touchdowns (29), eighth in completion percentage (69.4), and ninth in 300-yard passing games (4) all while also being named Second Team All-Big Ten and finishing ninth overall on the 2024 Heisman Trophy ballot.

Rourke had a stellar season individually with 2,927 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions but his season will be the most memorable in IU history because of their team success, as the Hoosiers finished the season with an 11-2 record and College Football Playoff berth.

Rourke's older brother, Nathan, currently with the CFL's B.C. Lions, won the award twice in 2017 and 2018 at Ohio.

"It's awesome," Kurtis Rourke said. "Kind of getting introduced to the Jon Cornish Trophy back when Nathan won it a couple of times, I wanted to be able to have a shot and it was one of my goals to be in the conversation, be in the running.

""It just means a ton to be recognized just because Canadian athletes don't get recognized too often. I'm just so glad we're able to get that recognition and continue to do it for our country.""

Kurtis Rourke

Rourke finished the season in a loss to Notre Dame 27-17 in the first round of the CFP. He finished 20-of-33 passing for 215 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

The Canadian gunslinger is projected to be a top ten quarterback in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, he will likely be a 4th-5th round selection in April of 2025.