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Mel Kiper Jr. Inexplicably drops Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke in new QB draft rankings

After some late NFL Draft announcements, Rourke finds himself sliding down one particular quarterback draft board.

ByEricka Brockish|
Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) scrambles against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Joshua Burnham (40) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) scrambles against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Joshua Burnham (40) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

It seems like the disrespect of Indiana is continuing to follow Kurtis Rourke even to the NFL Draft.

In his initial rankings, NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. had Rourke ranked No. 6 on his quarterback board, but after some new players officially headed to the draft, it seems Rourke is falling a bit.

Kiper's initial ranking were as follows:

1. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
2. Cam Ward (Miami)
3. Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
4. Carson Beck (Georgia)
5. Quinn Ewers (Texas)
6. Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
7. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
8. Dillion Gabriel (Oregon)
9. Kyle McCord (Syracuse)
10. Tyler Shough (Louisville)

Now that Carson Beck has withdrawn from the draft and is spending his last year of eligibility with the Miami Hurricanes, he has fallen on the board, but there has been a new name appear in Kiper's latest rankings. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, who is playing in what will be his final college football game in the National Championship on Monday, will most likely be heading to the draft.

However, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxon Dart jumped Rourke, as well as Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, along with Howard. Rourke dropped two spots in Kiper's latest rankings, but there is a very possible reason for that.

A few weeks ago, it came out that Rourke played the entire 2024 season with a re-torn ACL. He was set to have surgery on it last week, but because of that, he most likely won't be able to show any sort of mobility training at the NFL Combine or any Pro Days. The best Rourke will be able to show will be his arm strength and throwing ability, but stationary as he rehabs his knee.

However, the repair of Rourke's knee should ultimately help his mobility going forward. Playing on a torn ACL all season long definitely hindered his mobility when one goes back and looks at the film. Things could have been different for Rourke, but what ifs don't matter now.

Either way, Rourke falling on the quarterback board seems surprising, especially with only Howard being the new name and Beck falling off the board.

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