Record-setting Canadian QB Nathan Rourke goes Unsigned by NCAA schools: Why? [Archive]

jerrym

02-07-2016, 02:25 PM

Things are hard out there for Canadian quarterbacks trying to make the CFL, but the road gets tough for them at an even earlier stage; the NCAA. By many accounts, Nathan Rourke looked like a potentially great NCAA quarterback (http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6260304-radley-the-superstar-high-school-qb-without-a-home/); he shone in minor football and high school in Burlington and Oakville, ON, then transferred to Edgewood Academy in Alabama for his senior year and promptly threw 59 touchdown passes with just three interceptions, 3,789 passing yards and a 75 per cent completion rate while helping his team win the state championship. However, all of that didn't lead to a Division I scholarship offer ahead of Wednesday's National Signing Day, as Scott Radley of The Hamilton Spectator recounts (http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6260304-radley-the-superstar-high-school-qb-without-a-home/): ...
He had one expression of interest from a Division II school. But he didn't do all this work and uproot his life to settle for something less than his goal.hen it became apparent that nothing was happening, he and his parents researched every D1 school to see which didn't have a quarterback committed from the 2016 high school class. Then reached out to every single one of them. More than 20 in all. ...
Only one even bothered to respond but only to say no thanks. The rejection came with no feedback. So not only does he not have a school for next fall, he really doesn't know why.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, it's unlikely a size issue. He runs a 4.7-second 40-yard-dash — last year's first-overall NFL pick Jameis Winston runs a 4.97 — so speed isn't a problem. With his resume and stats it surely can't be a concern that he can't throw the ball. His highlight reel shows a player who can scramble and escape from trouble, so that likely isn't it either.
What is it then?
"That's what we're wondering, too," Rourke says.However, there are some potential reasons. Radley's story goes on to mention that most American quarterbacks are tracked through early high school and receive offers in Grade 11, meaning that Rourke simply arrived too late. Well-respected recruiting and draft guru Kent Ridley (https://twitter.com/ridleyscouting) of Ridley Scouting (http://ridleyscouting.com/) told 55-Yard Line Wednesday Rourke appears to be a terrific player, but the late arrival to U.S. football hurt him, and the level Rourke played at in Alabama matters too.
"The most important thing and something that isn't completely understood by the Canadians on the outside of that American media hypemachine is that recruiting starts early," Ridley said. "In Canada you can send out some emails as a high school senior and get recruited, but in the US they are identifying talent in the 8th grade. Keeping an eye on players as they move up. If players aren't getting field time by the 10th grade they'll likely drop off some lists unless they are sitting behind an All-State varsity player. It's even worse for quarterbacks! QBs go through training programs trying to earn an invite to one of the big QB camps to get recruited there."
"Next, the school. To your average Joe Canada, they see high school football on one level. Sure they understand big schools vs little schools (for many their only thought is city schools vs rural schools) but they don't understand that Alabama has 10 distinct levels of 11-man football. [That's] seven classes of public schools and three classes of private schools handled by an independent association, plus six-man and eight-man versions of the game. For crying out loud, they name cheerleader all-star teams in Alabama! When it comes down to Nathan's situation specifically, well, his Class AA football has only two regions and a total of 11 schools playing this year. Their first state playoff game was against a 2-8 school."
So, while Rourke's stats are certainly impressive, the lack of previous U.S. data on him and the level of competition he played at may have hurt his cause. Ridley said it's important to remember that high school players are competing for college spots not just against players within their division (where Rourke stood out, but in the second-smallest division of public school football), but against players from all divisions (and all states). Bigger schools and tougher competition can help players stand out. However, this isn't to say that Rourke isn't as deserving as many of the players who did get scholarships. In fact, Ridley said he thinks Rourke has tons of potential.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/record-setting-canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-goes-unsigned-by-ncaa-schools--why-034127104.html

argolio

02-07-2016, 02:53 PM

If his goal is to play in the NCAA, his best bet at this point is probably to try his luck at a junior college.

1argoholic

02-07-2016, 02:59 PM

Try Jr College or the walk on route. Must be someone smart enough to give the kid a shot.

ArgoRavi

02-07-2016, 05:44 PM

He could always come back to Canada and play in the CIS, couldn't he?

jerrym

02-07-2016, 07:44 PM

He could always come back to Canada and play in the CIS, couldn't he?

It would be great to see more star Canadians pick the CIS, but social media is enabling these players to put their names out to many US football factories, as I noted in the Jonathon Kongbo thread Canadians, such as Kongbo and Chase Claypool, are increasingly using technology to spread information on themselves in order to get football scholarships.

jerrym

01-08-2017, 02:12 PM

Good news for Canadian QB Nathan Rourke. He has signed with Division I Ohio University. However, it took him three years to get there.

Nathan Rourke’s long, roundabout, highlight-rich trip to the NCAA is complete: The Canadian quarterback has officially committed to play Div. I football at Ohio University.
Rourke played at three different schools the last three years in order to earn a scholarship. First he led Oakville’s Holy Trinity Titans to their first OFSAA bowl championship in 2014 (http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/27/holy-trinity-titans-qb-nathan-rourke-shines-in-ofsaa-victory). Then he guided Edgewood Academy to a 13-0 record and a Class AA Alabama state championship one year ago (http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/article/-343095753020348912/edgewood-academy-40-marengo-academy-34-wildcats-outlast-longhorns-for-aisa-class-aa-title/). After that he paced the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference with 2,367 passing yards in 11 games this fall.

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Next stop: Athens, Ohio.
Rourke’s family—dad Larry, mom Robyn and brother Kurtis—moved to Alabama in order to make him eligible to play at Edgewood Academy for his senior high school year. The goal: play well and garner a scholarship offer from a big-time NCAA program.

The Canuck signal caller nailed the first part: He completed 75 percent of his passes for 3,779 yards and 59 touchdowns, which tied for the most ever by an Alabama high school player. He also rushed for seven more touchdowns, putting him one shy of the state record for total touchdowns in a season. Rourke was named AISA All-Metro football player of the year. ...

A recruiting whirlwind followed, but the second part of his plan proved tougher to accomplish.
“I talked to UCLA, Missouri, Rice and FAU, a bunch of schools, but one way or another the door shut on me for different reasons,” Rourke says.
When the opportunities with Div. I programs dried up (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/record-setting-canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-goes-unsigned-by-ncaa-schools--why-034127104.html), Rourke decided to go the junior-college route and attend Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, which has seen the likes of first-team NFL players Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte David come through the program recently.
The six-foot-two, 215-lb. quarterback passed for 2,367 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, which earned Rourke a first-team All KJCCC nod at QB. ...

“It was a great experience. Fort Scott plays in such a great conference in the Jayhawk, every game you play against Div. I players who are going to the SEC, Pac 12, Big 12 and Big 10,” Rourke says.
A late-season offer from Eastern Kentucky got the ball rolling on scholarship opportunities. All in he got six Div. I offers—two from FBS schools and four from FCS ones.
After going on official visits to Akron and Ohio, Rourke’s decision was made. “I was considering Akron and had a really good visit there. With Ohio I just felt like the program is established, they’ve been in bowl games the last eight years, winning records, job security, [and] the head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator have been there for 12 years.” Rourke feels like the Ohio University coaching staff will be in place for his entire time with the Bobcats, which he describes as a big factor in the decision.

The Canadian quarterback wants to break down barriers for pivots from the north. “That’s the motivation. That’s what wakes you up in the morning. It’s hardly done in the CFL, and that’s our league—there’s no Canadian quarterbacks starting. In the NFL Canadian quarterbacks just doen't happen. In the NCAA, it’s rare.” Canadian QB guru and Football North head coach Larry Jusdanis, who started in the CFL and was the first Canuck quarterback invited to the NFL Combine, says Rourke is one of the best he’s ever coached—Michael Faulds, Danny Brannagan and Will Finch are just a few names Jusdanis has helped develop over the years. "Nathan is a special one. He has the 'it' factor and competes," says Jusdanis. "Knowing how much of a competitor he is I bet he’ll start for Ohio next season." ...

Rourke has four years to complete three years of NCAA playing eligibility with the goal being to start at quarterback in 2017 for Ohio.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl/canadian-qb-standout-nathan-rourke-commits-ohio-university/

OV Argo

01-08-2017, 04:14 PM

Good luck to the kid. Be interesting to track his progress down there.

Canadian QB Michael O'Connor had similar hopes when he got recruited to Penn State; didn't work out for him for playing time there, so he returned to Canada to play for Blake Nill in taking over the UBC program - and they produced a Vanier Cup win in year one.

jerrym

09-30-2017, 02:00 AM

Canadian QB Nathan Rourke has been doing very well this year starting with the opening game of the season.

The game was out of reach and had been for some time.
But Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke still had plenty to play for.
With under six minutes left in the third quarter and Ohio down by 27, Rourke scrambled to his right, faked a pass, cut back toward the pocket, spun off a Purdue defender and ran between two more on his way to a hard-earned gain of 13 yards.
Rourke, still listed as the team's backup, sprinted to the first down marker as if the starting spot awaited him on the other side.
After the Bobcats’ 44-21 blowout loss to the Boilermakers on Friday night at Ross-Ade Stadium, Ohio has to re-evaluate the role of Rourke moving forward.
“I’ll visit with (quarterbacks) coach (Scott) Isphording and we’ll make a determination on that here this week,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “But (Rourke) certainly came in, played with a lot of heart, kept plays alive and made plays.”
Rourke, coming off a three-touchdown game against Hampton that earned him Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week, marched the offense down the field for a touchdown on his first drive. ...
Rourke played the rest of the game and finished with 224 yards passing (16-of-23) and a touchdown, while gaining 36 rushing yards on nine carries. ...

Solich clarified after the game that his decision to pull Maxwell wasn’t based on injury or physical concern of any kind, rather that Rourke “came in and made some plays and kept making plays, so we stayed with him.”
Rourke’s elusive 13-yard run in the third quarter, one of a few defender-dodging escapes, showed a willingness to keep fighting. Solich took notice.
Even when a few of Rourke’s drives came up empty-handed, he was afforded the chance to stay in and keep a rhythm.
“Quinton’s been our one starter and now we’ve brought Nathan in, to get him reps, to prepare two quarterbacks,” Solich said. “So now, we just look at what transpired here in this game and we make decisions off the first two games and go from there.”
When Rourke was asked if he thought he’d done enough to become the starter, he didn't have much to say: “I’m not really worried about that.”
His play had already done all the talking.

http://www.thepostathens.com/article/2017/09/football-nathan-rourke-makes-case-for-starting-quarterback-spot-in-loss-to-purdue

jerrym

09-30-2017, 02:15 AM

After going 33/49 and 3 TDs with a QB efficiency rating of 162.1 along with 4 rushing TDs on 83 yards on the ground as a backup, Rourke's HC, Frank Solich of the Ohio University Bobcats, decided to name him the #1 QB.
In his first game as starting QB last week, Rourke went 19/31 for 197 yards and 2 TDs that he threw in overtime to win the game 27-20 against Eastern Michigan. He was then named "Star of the Week" by the Manning award, which is named after the Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning QB family.
Sure sounds like a determined "winner" to me who has had to fight every inch of the way as described for four years in post #6 to be recognized for his talent.

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/cfc100-rourke-gets-qb1-status-with-ohio/

https://www.canadafootballchat.com/cfc100-nathan-rourke-earns-star-of-the-week-after-overtime-win-against-eastern-michigan/

jerrym

10-04-2017, 03:17 AM

In just his second start in Division 1 NCAA football, Rourke led the Ohio Bobcats to a 58-50 win, although it was against a weak 0-6 opponent, Massachusetts Minutemen. Nevertheless, Rourke had an outstanding game, especially considering Massachusetts defence had kept the opponents scores low in its last three games, including only allowing 20 points or less in each of its last three games, including against 3-2 SEC Tennessee.

UMass' defense was run over by the Bobcats on Saturday, led by quarterback Nathan Rourke (https://247sports.com/Player/Nathan-Rourke-85015). ...
Rourke rushed 16 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns on the day, all the while pulling off some incredible escape acts in the pocket to avoid sacks and lost yardage. ...
Rourke completed 13 of 24 passes for 181 yards and two TDs.

https://247sports.com/Article/Ohio-Bobcats-vs-Massachusetts-Minutemen-Game-Recap-108310738

jerrym

10-04-2017, 03:32 AM

Rourke's escapability in the November 30th, 2016 video below reminds me of Doug Flutie.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/3941701/nathan-rourke

jerrym

10-07-2017, 01:24 AM

If anyone is interested in seeing Rourke in game action, Saturday's Ohio University Bobcats play Central Michigan University at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on ESPN3. Ohio will be in tough based on its historical record based of 5-24 W/L in this matchup.

OV Argo

10-15-2017, 11:30 PM

Rourke led the Bobcats to another win yesterday.

He's rushed for well over 200 yards and 6 TDs (!) in the past 2 games.

jerrym

10-21-2017, 07:46 PM

For the third week in a row Rourke has rushed for over 100 yards. He is now second in the United States in rushing TDs. The following article tells you why he has been so successful as a sophomore.

To put it in perspective, a game after the halfway mark in the 2017 season, the true sophomore is two rushing touchdowns short of Kareem Wilson's 14 from 1996, when he won the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year award. And the stat that will awe even more: He passed Tyler Tettleton for the most rushing touchdowns by a Solich Bobcat quarterback at 10 last week. "He is able to escape tough situations, keep the ball alive," Ohio Head Coach Solich said. "He can throw across his body if he has to, but he has excellent ability to make people miss, which is huge. He is like a running back in that manor. He can make the first guy miss and set up blocks, he has enough speed to be a factor in getting long runs. Some quarterbacks have it and some do not, and he does."
Being the dual-threat player Rourke is, he's able to diversify the offense. With a core of injured wide receivers, he has been making defenses focus on the running and passing game. And with an experienced running back behind him, A.J. Ouellette, more opponents are forced to focus on the read option. At times last year, it seemed like the Bobcats offense would go through moments were points to hard to come by, such as Kent State and Akron, averaging 26.3 points per game. But this year, Ohio is averaging 39.0 points per game, best in the MAC.
That didn't just happen overnight, but Rourke has played a large role in the change. It's been especially helpful for Ohio because in certain games this season its defense has lapsed at times, and the Bobcats have responded by putting points on the board, such as the 58-50 win over UMass. ...

Along with his national ranking in touchdowns, Rourke is third in the nation in total points with 72.
"I think his (Rourke) play warrants respect," offensive coordinator Tim Albin said. "He had a few rough starts, but now he's settled in. We have to take into consideration he's only a sophomore and never played Division I football before. "His makeup as a quarterback is what you're after. He doesn't panic. The thing that really helped us last week was the drive before the half was huge. Made a few big passes and in the second half the running game took over."
Rourke has a dynamic set of skills, he led the Bobcats to a score before halftime against Bowling Green, a drive where he passed for 75 yards. Then in the second half, he rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Albin hasn't worked with him on running, but quarterback coach Scott Isphording knew he had something special on his hands when he met him. "He's the first recruit that I ever met that showed up with a notebook," Isphording recalled. "He came down to see me and he had a notebook. He was writing stuff down, had things he wanted to know about, all of it. I said 'Alright, this is my kind of guy.'"
The way he goes about this success, it would be hard know he's been so successful. Before the season started, he deleted all social media off his phone. He hasn't Tweeted anything out since July 31st and until Monday he didn't know he was second in the nation in rushing touchdowns.
Maybe a step further, he runs up the hill the video board sits on after practice, multiple times. He purposely waits until all players and media leave the field. He doesn't want attention, not any of it. Ouellette has run hills with him a few times, he thinks he's a little crazy to be running after a two-hour practice. But that's how Rourke prepares for games, so he can get that second wind in the second half. "He spends more time than the average person preparing for games," Ouellette said. "It comes with his success and skill. I've run a few hills with him, I don't know how he does it."

http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2017-10-21/college-football-quarterback-nathan-rourke-quickly-rushingand

OV Argo

11-01-2017, 01:56 PM

This Rourke kid seems to just be getting better - another Ohio win - and he throws for 3 TDs and runs for 3 more himself !

jerrym

11-02-2017, 04:24 PM

This Rourke kid seems to just be getting better - another Ohio win - and he throws for 3 TDs and runs for 3 more himself !

Yes, Rourke had another outstanding performance. And he is starting to get noticed in the US as the following article shows. (With reference to the article below Rourke stopped using Twitter before the season in order to focus on football.)

All the Twitter mentions, Facebook tags and Instagram posts seeking Nathan Rourke’s attention will have to wait. Inspired by LeBron James and Steph Curry, Rourke buried his social media footprint in July and doesn’t plan to unearth it until after the season.
That means in the aftermath of his best game, a six-touchdown performance in Ohio’s 45-28 win over Miami on Tuesday night, he’ll miss out on the outpour of online buzz directed his way.
Besides, he said after the game that he’s already looking ahead to next week’s Toledo game as the biggest of the season.
“It’s not surprising that he said something like that,” coach Frank Solich said. “He’s very down to earth. He knows what it takes to win games. He knows that you can be a flash in the pan and play well for awhile as an individual or you can play well for awhile as a team, but if you don’t have any consistency about you then you’re not there.”
Rourke, a sophomore quarterback, has modeled consistency since taking over the starting spot Week 3. Since then, he’s accounted for multiple touchdowns in each game and three or more scores all but once.
He shone his brightest under the lights of the ESPN2 broadcast Tuesday in Ohio’s (7-2, 4-1 Mid-American Conference) first midweek game of the season, setting season highs in passing touchdowns (three), passing yards (294) and completions (21), while rushing 10 times for 54 yards and scoring three touchdowns.

http://www.thepostathens.com/article/2017/10/ohio-bobcats-nathan-rourke-miami-redhawks

jerrym

11-09-2017, 03:40 AM

In beating 8-2 Toledo 38-10 yesterday, Rourke has led Ohio to an 8-2 record. He also gained 100+ yards on the ground once again.

Last season, Ohio beat Toledo in Toledo for the first time since 1967. The Bobcats hadn’t shot down the Rockets at home since 1988. Ohio also had not defeated Toledo in consecutive years since 1967-68 when Ohio won its last MAC title. ...
Quarterback Nathan Rourke carried for 115 yards and another score rushing. ...
With the victory, Ohio continues striding through what’s developing into a historic season. The Bobcats have only two games left and can clinch the MAC East Division with a victory at Akron next Tuesday.

https://www.athensnews.com/news/campus/bobcats-maul-mac-west-power-toledo-in-home-field-statement/article_17e28220-c505-11e7-9263-f7f9ced75371.html

jerrym

11-15-2017, 02:32 PM

Rourke and the Ohio University Bobcats lost a close game 37-34 this week. While he ran for 165 yards, he was only 9/22 and admitted he needs to improve his passing and threw two interceptions. However, being a sophomore he has two more years to work on that.

The Bobcats perhaps played the best defense they’ve gone against in the Zips. Whether it was playing tight man coverage or focusing on stopping the run, the Zips forced the Bobcats to pass. And at that, they forced the Bobcats to pass well.
Ohio couldn’t.
Rourke passed for 110 yards and threw two interceptions. He completed 40.9 percent of his passes. Rourke tied the Ohio record for most rushing touchdowns in a season Tuesday, tallying his 19th of the season. He’s been scrambling and cutting through defenses all season.
But he knows that he needs to become a better passer.
“That’s where I gotta grow, take some steps as a quarterback to be successful in this league,” Rourke said. “You can’t get away with just running the ball.”
Rourke rushed for 165 yards and scored on a 68-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. A quality running football team, Ohio ran for 282 yards. ...

Going up against Akron, though, Rourke was forced to make some tough throws. With the Bobcats down 37-34, they had a chance to score. On fourth down and three with under three minutes left, Rourke threw a deep pass to Papi White.
White jumped up for it, and he dropped it. The Bobcats went out on defense for one last possession. But they were out of chances.

http://www.thepostathens.com/article/2017/11/nathan-rourke-become-better-passer

jerrym

11-25-2017, 08:21 PM

Ohio ended the regular season on a losing note after its defence gave Buffalo a 24-7 first quarter lead. However, Rourke battled back, gaining 265 yards in the air and rushing for 59 yards making the game close, but ending up with a 31-24 loss. He had one rushing TD, giving him 20 for the year, an Ohio record.

jerrym

11-30-2017, 09:48 PM

Nathan Rourke and the Ohio University Bobcats will be playing in the Bahamas Bowl against the University of Alabama Birmingham on December 22nd at 12:30 ET in Nassau. This provides an opportunity to see him play for those who have ESPN as it will be broadcast nationally in the U.S.

OV Argo

12-15-2017, 06:40 PM

jerrym

01-11-2018, 05:22 AM

TSN is going to show this game.

Rourke led the Ohio Bobcats to a rout in the Bahamas Bowl.

Nathan Rourke — a native of Oakville, Ont. — threw for two scores and Ohio beat UAB 41-6 in the Bahamas Bowl on Friday.
Ohio (9-4) averaged 38.9 points per game during the season, setting a school record with 467 points scored, and the Bobcats exhibited that prowess in the opening half of this one, using big plays to build a 27-3 halftime lead.
Rourke, who is in his sophomore season with Ohio, was 12 of 18 for 185 yards passing and rushed for 30 yards.
Rourke was a second-team All-MAC selection this season and set single-season records at Ohio with 21 rushing touchdowns, 22 touchdowns scored and 132 points scored.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2017/12/22/canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-helps-ohio-university-to-ncaa-bahamas-bowl-win.html

jerrym

01-11-2018, 05:39 AM

His performance is no longer going unnoticed. The following article is two months old but is the best review of his skills that I could find.

It’s not hard to notice that something is different with Ohio this season. With every snap, the difference touches the ball. He stands 6-foot-2, weighs 209 pounds and is a true sophomore. He’s not physically imposing, either. At least before the snap.
The main reason for Ohio’s offensive turnaround starts and ends with one player, the difference-maker for Ohio: Nathan Rourke.
A transfer, Rourke came in as the backup to start the season behind Quinton Maxwell. That lasted all of a game and a quarter. Ohio was then committed to a two-quarterback system. That lasted a game.
Rourke, right now, might end up as the best quarterback that coach Frank Solich has coached in Athens.
Rourke started the Kansas game, the third game of the season, and hasn’t looked back. His numbers have been astounding, his game has been calm and his offense has soared.
Ohio ranks eighth in the country in points per game (41.2) and 22nd in rushing yards per game. On a personal level, Rourke’s numbers are more impressive. He leads the Mid-American Conference in scoring (96 points), rushing touchdowns (16) and is fourth with 2,057 total yards.
He’s already tied for 10th in Ohio history for passing touchdowns in a season (13) and is second with rushing touchdowns (16). With four more rushing touchdowns, he’ll break Kalvin McRae’s all-time mark of 19. McRae broke that record in 2007 — as a senior running back. I

There are faults to Rourke’s game, sure. He’s just 19 and hasn’t played a full season of FBS football. To talk about his faults would be nitpicking.
He’s thrown just <ins style="box-sizing: border-box;">three interceptions</ins> (http://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4244688/nathan-rourke). He’s fumbled three times, all against Central Michigan. He doesn’t have a rocket arm, but his passes often times find their target. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he can juke and make cuts to slow the defense down.
When his arm isn’t there, like against Bowling Green, he rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns. When Miami shut down the run, he threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns. ...
It might be easy to doubt Rourke. ...
But with Rourke’s history, that wouldn’t be wise.

http://www.thepostathens.com/article/2017/11/nathan-rourke-mid-american-conference-rising-star

jerrym

01-11-2018, 05:46 AM

Last month Rourke was selected as the top Canadian playing United States college football. The other top four leading contenders for the award are also briefly described in the article.

Oakville, Ontario native Nathan Rourke has been selected the Krown Countdown U Top Canadian in the NCAA in 2017. The selection was conducted via a panel of Canadian media and Canadian Football League scouts in the field.
The sophomore QB burst onto the NCAA scene in his first season in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) with the Ohio Bobcats. Rourke seized control of the starters role at pivot in the second game, leading Ohio to an 8-4 record. In his breakout year, Rourke demonstrated his athleticism, versatility and durability. He passed for 2,018 yards, 15 TDs and seven interceptions while completing 54.4%. In addition, he ran 134 times for 882 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry while finding the end zone 21 times. The 21 rushing TDs in a season is a new Bobcat record. Rourke even added a receiving TD, which means he played a role in 37 TDs this season.
Rourke was humble in his assessment of his performance in 2017. “I think I did a good job of managing what I could and reacting to a lot of things, that’s why I could take advantage of the running game,” Rourke told KCU. Even with the eye-popping first-year numbers, Rourke promises he will continue to work hard to improve his game moving forward. “There’s parts of a refined aspect of playing quarterback at this level I want to master but that the challenge that I like and love,” he said.
Rourke played his first three years of high school football at Holy Trinity High School in Oakville and lead Holy Trinity to its first OFSAA Bowl Championship in 2014. In 2015, He moved to Alabama for his senior year in high school to continue his development at quarterback. At Edgewood Academy in Elwood, Ala. he went 13-0 as a starter and won the AA Alabama State Championship, passing for for 3,779 yards and 59 touchdowns while rushing for seven more touchdowns.
Upon graduation, he spent a year in Junior College at Fort Scott CC where he played in all 11 games in 2016, leading the Greyhounds to a 4-7 record while passing for 2,367 yards, 18 TDs, three rushing TDs and was named First Team All-KJCCC.
The impact of Canadian players continues to be felt stateside. By last count, there were 94 Canadian-born players in Division I and II, not including those at Burnaby, BC’s Simon Fraser University who play in the D2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The four other outstanding players who were finalists in the “Stateside 5” were:
Dejon Brissett – Wide Receiver, Richmond Spiders (Jr. Mississauga, ON) 63 receptions, 896 yards, 7TD, 1,105 all-purpose.
Chase Claypool – Wide Receiver, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (So. Abbotsford, BC) 29 receptions, 402 yards, 2TD.
Justin McInnis – Wide Receiver, Arkansas State Red Wolves (Jr. Pierrefonds, PQ) 42 receptions, 693, 3TD.
Hergy Mayala – Wide Receiver, UConn Huskies (Jr. Montreal, PQ) 43 receptions, 615, 7TD.

http://footballcanada.com/quarterback-nathan-rourke-selected-as-kcu-ncaa-top-canadian-in-2017/

jerrym

05-28-2018, 08:44 PM

As a sophomore QB Nathan Rourke had quite a year, rushing for 912 yards, second in the US for a QB, and first among Division I QBs. Rourke led Ohio to victory in the Bahamas Bowl. He was 161/292 for 2203 yards with a 55.1% completion average. The following tweet includes his 2017 video highlights.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nathan Rourke Official Sophomore Highlights!<br><br>🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/nathan_rourke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nathan_rourke</a>🔥<br><br>Stats:<br>====<br>Pass Yds: 2203<br>Pass TD: 17<br>Rush Yds: 912<br>Rush TD: 21 <a href="https://t.co/fRZPrKYNP5">pic.twitter.com/fRZPrKYNP5</a></p>— the CNtaco (@theCNtaco) <a href="https://twitter.com/theCNtaco/status/986001153904332800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Flutie

05-31-2018, 04:59 PM

As a sophomore QB Nathan Rourke had quite a year, rushing for 912 yards, second in the US for a QB, and first among Division I QBs. Rourke led Ohio to victory in the Bahamas Bowl. He was 161/292 for 2203 yards with a 55.1% completion average. The following tweet includes his 2017 video highlights<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" async=""></script>

Never heard of him until now, he looks pretty good and he's only a Junior 20 years old. If he keeps this up over the next 3 years he could end up in the NFL.
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AngeloV

05-31-2018, 11:12 PM

Never heard of him until now, he looks pretty good and he's only a Junior 20 years old. If he keeps this up over the next 3 years he could end up in the NFL.
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FYI, Junior is 3rd year, so he has 2 years left, not 3.

PullTogether73

06-05-2018, 01:51 PM

OV Argo

06-05-2018, 09:29 PM

Athlon Sports puts Nathan Rourke 26 of 130 in NCAA FBS QB rankings.

26. Nathan Rourke, Ohio
https://s3.amazonaws.com/i.athcdn.com/assets/images/teams/college-football/logos/200x200/ohio-bobcats.pngRourke was one of the MAC's top breakout players last season. After taking over as the team's starter in the third game of 2017, Rourke helped Ohio's offense lead the MAC in scoring offense (39.1 ppg) and second in yards per play (6.4). The junior college product threw for 2,203 yards and 17 scores, but his biggest asset was the ability to make plays on the ground. Rourke finished second on the team with 912 rushing yards and tied for third nationally with 21 touchdowns on the ground.

Interesting; but probably not enough recognition yet to merit serious NFL consideration; he could improve and move up lots yet still though.

That NCAA Div I resume, plus the guy has pro size and some outstanding QB mobility skills = should make this guy the best Canadian QB prospect for the pros in a long time; Bridge has the NCAA starter resume + pro plus size + the rocket for an arm; but Rourke has already done more in US college ball arguably and has 2 years to go there.

1st round CFL draft pick for sure in a couple of years - LOL !

PullTogether73

06-06-2018, 12:52 AM

1st round CFL draft pick for sure in a couple of years - LOL !

I thought the same thing actually, although I was serious.

I can understand why you laugh though.
With the current CFL rule regarding Canadian QBs, there is no incentive for teams to look at one, so Rourke will likely be passed over for some middling American QB with a documented history from high school to add to his college credentials. Rourke's high school history will likely be discounted or ignored IMO.

I really wish the CFL would change that outdated rule.
:sick:

argolio

06-06-2018, 01:01 AM

Rourke should get drafted if he continues his career path. Bridge went in the 4th round.

I doubt pro scouts care much what any player did in high school.

jerrym

08-19-2018, 08:24 PM

Here's a video interview with Rourke as he prepares for the Ohio University season in his junior year, where he discusses his shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm that kept him out of spring practice, as well as pre-season camp and the upcoming year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY5Og_uLXV8

jerrym

08-25-2018, 05:23 PM

Here's a review of Rourke as his junior season approaches.

The option quarterback’s ability to create rushing touchdowns near the end zone didn’t dwindle after the Week 1 performance. Rourke finished 2017 with four games of three touchdowns and three games of two touchdowns. Out of all FBS players, he ranked third by compiling 21 rushing touchdowns, only trailing running backs Devin Singletary (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/279510/devin-singletary) and Rashaad Penny (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/251316/rashaad-penny). Rourke nearly closed in on the 1,000-yard mark, achieving 912 yards on the ground. He’s the closest replica of Jordan Lynch (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/116594/jordan-lynch) the conference has seen since Lynch finished third in Heisman voting in 2013. And just like Lynch, the Canadian junior has more talents on the field than acting as a glorified running back.

Completing passes at a 55.1 percent mark, Rourke isn’t the most pinpoint accurate passer in college football. But oftentimes, he makes good decisions to stay mistake free. Rourke didn’t toss his first career interception until his sixth game. Going over 100 attempts without a pick is rare for a first-time starter, but Rourke adapted to the role immediately. On a run first, speed option-loving team, he doesn’t typically post 300-yard, 3-touchdown games through the air, but he is capable. His best performance as a traditional quarterback fell on Halloween night last year, lighting up the Miami RedHawks defense for 294 yards and three scores in a 45-28 victory. ...

Now as a junior with a year of experience under his belt, Rourke can even further develop as a dual-threat quarterback. His running abilities are almost near the pinnacle compared to other college QBs, but Rourke has room to improve as a passer. There was a period from October 14 to November 24 where Rourke completed just 49.4 percent of passes — the same period where all seven of his interceptions transpired. Ohio still finished 4-3 during this stretch, as Rourke often tormented opposing defenses with his rushing abilities.

Improvements on accuracy and pocket passing could allow Rourke to lock up MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and possibly toss his name into the Heisman race. Jordan Lynch and Nate Davis (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/3931/nate-davis) are the only two MAC quarterbacks to receive votes in the last 10 years, and if Ohio finishes 11-1 or 12-0 behind Rourke’s impressive numbers, don’t be surprised if he captures a few of the voters’ eyes.

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2018/8/24/17778530/top-25-mac-players-of-2018-5-nathan-rourke-qb-ohio

jerrym

09-29-2018, 06:54 PM

After three so-so games following an off-season where he had shoulder surgery on his non-passing arm resulting in his missing nearly all off-season practice, Nathan Rourke had a seasonal breakout game today against the University of Massachesetts, as did another Canadian with the Ohio Bobcats, Maleek Irons from Chiliwack, BC.

Individually, Nathan Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) finished the game with a career-high 23 completions in 32 attempts for 270 yards and three passing touchdowns. On the ground, Rourke recorded a career-high 189 rushing yards with one touchdown. Maleek Irons (Chilliwack, British Columbia) finished the game with 13 carries for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns.

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2018-19/schedule

jerrym

10-07-2018, 03:36 PM

Rourke, who just last week had his best career game ever going 23/32 for 270 yards, topped that this week in going 18/20 for 284 yards. Considering that he had a 2017 55% passing percentage, these two games indicate he has improved his passing technique considerably since last year. He also led the team to a 27-26 win by taking the team downfield for the winning score with five minutes to go, something that he had done several times last year, suggesting he does not panic under pressure.

Nathan Rourke went to work at his own 19-yard line at Dix Stadium with 5:07 to play. The Bobcats were down five and hadn’t led in the game •Saturday.
On a first-down scramble from his own territory, he gained 5 yards before running out of bounds. But after he had already stepped out, he was hammered on the sidelines. Personal foul. Tack on 15 yards.
After that, Rourke terrorized the Kent State defense — as he did for much of the day — and he capped the drive off with a dazzling, spinning, game-winning touchdown run from 8 yards out with just 1:28 to play, lifting Ohio to a 27-26 come-from-behind victory over Kent State. ...

The touchdown run capped off a brilliant day from Rourke, who was 18-of-20 through the air for 284 yards and a touchdown. He was nearly flawless passing the ball, aside from his first quarter interception and his one incompletion. This kind of game is becoming a norm for Rourke — and for the Bobcats. Rourke and the offense struggles early. The defense allows touchdowns and Ohio has a double-digit deficit. Rourke finds his stride and the Bobcats earn key defensive stops at timely moments and the offense digs them out of a hole.

https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2018/10/ohio-football-kent-state-nathan-rourke

jerrym

10-13-2018, 07:46 PM

Rourke had another good game passing going 15/23 for 275 yards but had his usually strong rushing game shut down today as Ohio lost to the Mid-American Conference West leaders Northern Illinois 24-21.

jerrym

10-20-2018, 07:51 PM

Nathan Rourke only threw 12 passes but completed 8 of them including 4 for TDs as he led Ohio to victory over Bowling Green 49-14, primarily by the run, carrying the ball for 100 yards himself on 10 carries, while fellow Canadian Maleek Irons rushed for 116 yards.

jerrym

11-03-2018, 06:02 PM

Rourke led Ohio to another lopsided victory, defeating Western Michigan 59-14 to give Ohio a 6-3 record. He was 12/14 for 149 yards and 3 TDs, while rushing for 68 yards and 2 TDs on nine carries in leading Ohio to a 45-0 halftime lead, then leaving the game shortly thereafter to give his backup some playing time. Rourke has improved his passing percentage from 55.1% in 2017 to 62.9% so far this year.

argolio

11-13-2018, 09:38 PM

Rourke's Ohio U team will host U of Buffalo Wednesday at 7:00 on TSN3 and 5.

jerrym

11-17-2018, 02:10 PM

Rourke's Ohio U team will host U of Buffalo Wednesday at 7:00 on TSN3 and 5.

Rourke had another good game in leading Ohio to a 52-17 win over Buffalo while going 17/26 for 209 yards and rushing for 77 yards.

jerrym

11-24-2018, 06:56 PM

While Nathan Rourke is not one of the three finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award, which is given to the QB judged to be the best in the NCAA each year, he did make the list of 26 QBs to Watch for the award just before the season began. The list of previous winners includes many QBs who played in the CFL or NFL, including quite a few who became stars, as the Wikipedia list shows (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davey_O%27Brien_Award)
Here's the preseason QBs to Watch list (http://daveyobrienaward.org/2018/07/2018-davey-obrien-award-watch-list-includes-26-players/)
Below is the description of Rourke associated with the 26 QBs to Watch based on his 2017 performance. (https://getsomemaction.com/news/2018/7/17/football-buffalos-jackson-and-ohios-rourke-named-to-davey-o-brien-award-watch-list.aspx)

Rourke, a native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, had a breakout sopohomore season as he led the Bobcats to a 9-4 overall record, including a 41-6 win over UAB in the Bahamas Bowl. In 13 games, Rourke set a school record with 21 rushing touchdowns with 137 carries for 912 yards rushing. Rourke threw for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns passing on 161-of-292 pass attempts. He was named All-MAC Second Team last year and also set school records with 132 points scored, 22 touchdowns scored and was responsible for 39 touchdowns.

Rourke was also selected as one of the top 8 QB performers in the NCAA by the Davey O'Brien Award committee in week five of the 2018 season (http://daveyobrienaward.org/2018/10/davey-obrien-great-8-quarterbacks-announced-for-week-5/)

Also on the list of 26 QBs considered prospects for the Davey O'Brien Award is Brett Rypien, nephew of Mark Rypien, who was born in Calgary and quarterbacked the Redskins to victory in the 1991 Super Bowl while winning its MVP award. Brett is eligible for dual citizenship because his father, Tim, was also born in Canada. Brett is on BC Lions' negotiation list. (http://3downnation.com/2018/02/21/lions-neg-lister-brett-rypien-the-next-rising-canadian-qb/)
This year Brett Rypien has been 263/384 (68.5%) for 3,270 yards. (http://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/3722362/brett-rypien)

The three QBs who are the finalists for the 2018 are Washington State's senior Gardner Minshew II, Oklahoma junior Kyler Murray and Alabama sophomore Tua Tagovailoa. (http://daveyobrienaward.org/2018/11/minshew-ii-murray-and-tagovailoa-named-finalists/)

jerrym

12-02-2018, 07:19 PM

Nathan Rourke, Maleek Irons and Ohio University will be playing in the Frisco Bowl in Frisco Texas on December 19th against San Diego State. The game will be on ESPN at 8:00 PM.

Brett Rypien and Boise State will be playing in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas against Boston College on December 26th. The game will be on ESPN at 1:30 PM.

jerrym

12-08-2018, 07:14 PM

The Frisco Bowl featuring Ohio University with Canadians Nathan Rourke and Maleek Irons, playing San Diego State will be broadcast on TSN2 on Wednesday, December 19th at 8:00 PM (Eastern Time).

OV Argo

12-19-2018, 11:27 PM

The Frisco Bowl featuring Ohio University with Canadians Nathan Rourke and Maleek Irons, playing San Diego State will be broadcast on TSN2 on Wednesday, December 19th at 8:00 PM (Eastern Time).

Watched a good part of that game = Ohio dominated for an easy win. That's 2 straight Bowl win seasons with Rourke at the helm.

Rourke was impressive - both as a real run threat QB, but also showed a strong arm, especially on deep balls. Don't know if Rourke will end up drawing some NFL interest after his Senior year next season, but he might? CFL interest ? = who knows. Interesting to hear that Rourke's brother - also a QB - has been recruited to Ohio for next year.

Canadian RB Maleek Irons did not play at all (after having a real good season there) - he is their #2 back in a run heavy offence; their #1 RB - AJ Ouellette - had an outstanding game - force as a ball carrier, but also made 2 good grabs, and was excellent as a blocker; some CFL team should be looking at this guy down the road if he does not draw NFL interest - looks like a total package RB.

jerrym

12-20-2018, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the good summary of the game OV. I enjoyed watching Nathan in action.

There is more good news when it comes to Rourke and Ohio University. Nathan's brother, Kurtis, another QB, has just signed to play with Ohio. Thanks to Nathan, Kurtis didn't have to go through what Nathan did to sign with a Division I team. Despite an outstanding high school career in Burlington and Oakville, Nathan had to go play in an Alabama high school in his senior year to get any attention in the US college system. Despite doing an outstanding job there, he could only get Fort Scott community college to sign him. Despite another outstanding season, Ohio University was one of the few Division I schools interested in Nathan.

Nathan Rourke’s long, roundabout, highlight-rich trip to the NCAA is complete: The Canadian quarterback has officially committed to play Div. I football at Ohio University.
Rourke played at three different schools the last three years in order to earn a scholarship. First he led Oakville’s Holy Trinity Titans to their first OFSAA bowl championship in 2014 (http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/27/holy-trinity-titans-qb-nathan-rourke-shines-in-ofsaa-victory). Then he guided Edgewood Academy to a 13-0 record and a Class AA Alabama state championship one year ago (http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/article/-343095753020348912/edgewood-academy-40-marengo-academy-34-wildcats-outlast-longhorns-for-aisa-class-aa-title/). After that he paced the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference with 2,367 passing yards in 11 games this fall. ...

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A recruiting whirlwind followed, but the second part of his plan proved tougher to accomplish.
“I talked to UCLA, Missouri, Rice and FAU, a bunch of schools, but one way or another the door shut on me for different reasons,” Rourke says.
When the opportunities with Div. I programs dried up (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/record-setting-canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-goes-unsigned-by-ncaa-schools--why-034127104.html), Rourke decided to go the junior-college route and attend Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, which has seen the likes of first-team NFL players Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte David come through the program recently.
The six-foot-two, 215-lb. quarterback passed for 2,367 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, which earned Rourke a first-team All KJCCC nod at QB. ...

The Canadian quarterback wants to break down barriers for pivots from the north. “That’s the motivation. That’s what wakes you up in the morning. It’s hardly done in the CFL, and that’s our league—there’s no Canadian quarterbacks starting. In the NFL Canadian quarterbacks just doen't happen. In the NCAA, it’s rare.”
https://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl/canadian-qb-standout-nathan-rourke-commits-ohio-university/

It's been just the opposite with Kurtis, as many Division I schools pursued him after playing at Holy Trinity in Oakville without having to go the US. However, he quickly decided to sign with Ohio. On the game broadcast last night, the announcers said Ohio plans to have Kurtis redshirt next year while his brother plays in his senior year, which still allows Kurtis to play in a couple of games, then play full-time in his redshirt freshman year with the expectation of him becoming the team's starting QB eventually. Even Nathan had to wait behind American QBs as they repeatedly failed to produce last year, until he led the team to come-from-behind victories as a backup.

Since the NCAA has woken up to Canadian QB talent, I think it's about time the CFL did too.

The first url shows highlights of Kurtis Rourke's 2018 season with Oakville. The second url has a review of his skills.

https://a.hudl.com/profile/5350951/Kurtis-Rourke

https://canadafootballchat.com/ohio-continues-the-family-tradition-signing-cfc100-kurtis-rourke/

jerrym

03-14-2019, 11:25 PM

Nathan Rourke has won the Jon Cornish Trophy as the Most Outstanding Canadian in NCAA football for the second time.

The vote was conducted after the conclusion of NCAA bowl season. The panel of 14 voters was comprised of CFL player evaluators, Canadian-based media who follow the NCAA and former NCAA players who have a connection to Canada. Each voter was supplied with a highlight video of the player and a detailed statistical abstract for evaluation.

The final vote was extremely tight on the second ballot between the five finalists. Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Chuba Hubbard, a redshirt freshman from Sherwood Park, Alberta finished in a tie for first with Rourke. The tiebreaker was determined by Rourke receiving the greater number of first place votes. Third place finisher Chase Claypool was only one vote behind the leaders.

In total, there were 139 Canadians in NCAA, NAIA and junior college in the 2018-19 season.

Rourke started all 13 games for the Ohio University Bobcats as a dual threat quarterback leading Ohio to a win in the Frisco Bowl and a 9-4 overall record. He completed 164-of-274 of his passes (59.9 per cent) for 2,434 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. On the ground, he carried the ball 134 times for 860 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
https://3downnation.com/2019/03/14/canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-earns-cornish-trophy-as-most-outstanding-canadian-in-ncaa-football/

jerrym

09-05-2019, 11:10 PM

Nathan Rourke had a fine performance in the Ohio season opener going 16/22 for 188 yards 2 TDs, no INT, while rushing for 75 yards on 10 carries in leading Ohio to a 41-20 win over Rhode Island.

jerrym

09-18-2019, 01:25 AM

As Rourke was being named the #3 draft prospect on the CFL Scouting Bureau's report, the QB had two weeks of ups and downs. During the first of these two weeks, Rourke's Ohio Bobcats lost 20-10 to Pitt while he went 15/27 for 177 yards, but even more startlingly for a QB who ran for 912 yards and 860 yards in 2017 and 2018 had a -43 yard rushing loss. However, there is an explanation: Rourke had been sick all week and was playing with a fever, and probably should not have been playing. Last weekend Ohio lost 33-31 to Marshall, but Rourke was back to his old self, going 15/25 for 215 yards passing with 3 TDs and no interceptions, and rushing for 118 yards on 9 carries, a 13.9 average per carry. He also broke Ohio's career TD record for a university that has played since 1894 and still has 9 games to add to the record, accomplishing this in just over two years of playing time. Ohio has also been in the top 12 in the FBS scoring in 2017 and 2018 with Rourke at QB, averaging 39.1 and 40.1 points per game in these two years.
Below is an article that summarizes his journey from Toronto to NCAA stardom.

Three stops, 2,574 miles (4142 kilometers), and 83 touchdowns later, Nathan Rourke (https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/291229/nathan-rourke) set the Ohio Bobcats’ record for the most touchdowns accounted for in a career. ‘Accounted for’ means Nathan Rourke has combined for more touchdown passes, runs, and receptions in his Bobcat career than any other player since Ohio began playing organized football in 1894.
Nathan Rourke wanted to pursue (https://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/sports/edgewood/wildcats-rourke-ends-recruiting-saga-signs-with-fort-scott/article_49025b1e-a14d-5690-aafd-064a4dec7339.html) his passion for football at the Football Bowl Series (FBS) level of competition. And with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Luehrman (https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/277762/ryan-luehrman) against former MAC rival Marshall Thundering Herd (https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/marshall-thundering-herd) on Sept. 14, 2019, Nathan Rourke earned a spot at the top of the Ohio Bobcats’ all-time list by accounting for 83 career touchdowns at Ohio. Rourke broke the record of 82 touchdowns set by Ohio great QB Tyler Tettleton (https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/86191/tyler-tettleton) back in 2013. Rourke added another touchdown on a 72-yard run to finish the game against Marshall with 84 career touchdowns.

The record for number of touchdowns accounted for of itself is a great accomplishment, but what is perhaps more impressive is the journey it took Rourke just to get to Ohio, and then how quickly he broke the record once he arrived. The distance between Ohio University and Oakville, Ontario, Canada, the place where Rourke spent most of his high school days, is not much more than an afternoon’s drive. That is, if you go in a straight line.

Rourke’s path to Ohio was anything but a straight line. Rourke played his freshman, sophomore, and junior high school seasons at Holy Trinity High School in Ontario before travelling south to Edgewood Academy in Elmore, Alabama, for his senior season. Rourke left Elmore, Alabama and headed northwest to Fort Scott [KS] Community College for his freshman college season. After a season at Fort Scott, Rourke made the trek to Ohio. Three stops and 2,574 miles (4142 kilometers) later, Rourke started his Ohio career.

Once he arrived in Athens, Ohio, it didn’t take Rourke long to rewrite the record books, setting the record after playing only two full seasons and three games in a sport where players can have a maximum of four seasons of eligibility.

And Rourke still has a minimum of nine games to go in his final Ohio season to add to the record, and as many as eleven, depending if Ohio can reach the Mid-American Conference (MAC) title game and a bowl game. Rourke’s record is part of an overall “Golden Age” of Ohio offensive production, where Ohio ranked in the top 12 in the FBS in average points per game with 39.1 in 2017 and 40.1 in 2018.
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2019/9/16/20868662/nathan-rourke-program-record-most-touchdowns-ohio-bobcats-program-history

jerrym

10-13-2019, 01:27 PM

Nathan Rourke passed for 258 yards and rushed for 80 yards against Northern Illinois this week but Ohio lost a close one 39-36 after winning another one the week before in overtime 21-20.

jerrym

10-20-2019, 01:14 AM

Rourke had the best game of his college career today, passing for over 300 yards for the first time, in going 19/28 (68%) with 342 yards and 2 TDs as he threw to eight different receivers, while running for 79 yards and 2 more TDs in leading Ohio to a 45-38 win over Kent State.

jerrym

11-02-2019, 02:35 PM

Rourke has been named MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week for his performance against Ball State, as well as MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row. In the previous week he passed for over 300 yards against Kent State in a 45-38 win.

Senior quarterback Nathan Rourke (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/rourke_nathan_b4oy) (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) of the Ohio football team has been named the Mid-American Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week, as announced by the league office today. The Scholar Athlete of the Week Award is presented to a MAC male and/or female student-athlete who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and performs well during that week's competition. An institution can nominate up to one male and one female student-athlete per week in any of that current season's sports. The winners are selected by a representative of the MAC's Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs).

Rourke earned MAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week recognition for the second time in 2019. He also earned honors on Sept. 19 (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20190919nob56e).

Rourke helped Ohio (4-4, 3-1 MAC) pile up a season-high 316 rushing yards in a 34-21 win over Ball State last Saturday (Oct. 26) at Scheumann Stadium in rainy Muncie, Ind., running for a season-high 127 yards and two touchdowns. Rourke recorded his eighth career 100-yard rushing game and has now scored 44 career rushing touchdowns, which is good for third-most in program history. He extended his school record for career touchdowns responsible for to 96. Rourke scored the Bobcats' first touchdown from one yard out in the first quarter and their last from 12 yards out in fourth. On a tough day for passing the football, Rourke completed eight of his 16 attempts for 131 yards.

Rourke was also named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191028fizqum) for the for the second week in a row, third time this season and ninth time in his career for his efforts at Ball State.
https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191031ife3b3

jerrym

11-04-2019, 11:58 PM

Nathan Rourke and the Ohio Bobcats will have their games broadcast on ESPN2 against Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday Nov. 6 at 5:00 PM and against Western Michigan Nov. 12 at 4:30 PM.

doubleblue

11-09-2019, 06:53 PM

OV Argo

11-09-2019, 08:23 PM

Caught some of the Penn State/Minnesota Big Ten game today. Three Canadians on Penn State and two on Minnesota. Penn State's DE Daniel Joseph 6'3 260 wasn't in the game that I saw. He is listed at number 10 on the CFL fall draft list. Saw him play earlier this fall and IMO he was just ok, using Randy's assessment of Reimer. Penn State also has a couple of Soph's in LB Jesse Luketa 6'3 247 and free safety Jonathan Sutherland 6' 200. Luketa is a good back up who has started a game this year and Sutherland is the starting free safety for Penn. They played well and of course have two more years of eligibility.
Minnesota have two Canadian graduate Seniors who transferred there for their last year of eligibility. CB Ben St. Juste 6'3 190 was the starting right corner back for the Gophers. He played well having a couple of good pass knock downs but he wasn't tested as often as the LCB. I don't know why he isn't listed in the top 20 for the 2020 CFL draft.
PK Michael Turbutt 6'190 only shows one convert this year, and he wasn't doing any of the kicking today. His Bio from previous years shows he is 3 for 3 on field goals over 50 yards. 5 for 11 for 40 to 49 yards. 5 for 9 for 30 to 39 yards, and 4 for 4 for 20 to 29 yards out. Will probably be a later round pick.
As I was really focusing on watching the Canadian players I didn't watch the other positions as closely, but one player for Minnesota caught my eye as a CFL type. DT Sam Renner 6'3 275. Too light for the NFL but about right for the CFL. Reminded me a bit of Dylan Wynn.

According to the Gophers site - St Just still has 2 years of eligibility left there - so he won`t be CFL draftable till then. Sounds like a good CFL prospect for sure though.

As far as kickers in the upcoming draft - the CFL Scouting Bureau had the kicker Molson (UCLA i think) listed in their initial top 20; but seems to me Western dual kicker Mark Legghio - just outstanding place-kicking & punting numbers this season, should blow him away. That initial Bureau listing was heavy on NCAA Canucks but a number of them are not doing much in US college ball this season = maybe shouldn`t be rated near that high. A bunch of U Sports stars should rise up in subsequent rankings - like DTs Andrew S-Spauding (McGill) and Cam Lawson (Queens) - both Conference award winners this year),and a few receivers - Brocku (Manitoba), Hastings (Acadia), Hall (Laurier), Klassen (Sask Huskies)

doubleblue

11-10-2019, 12:17 PM

According to the Gophers site - St Just still has 2 years of eligibility left there - so he won`t be CFL draftable till then. Sounds like a good CFL prospect for sure though.

As far as kickers in the upcoming draft - the CFL Scouting Bureau had the kicker Molson (UCLA i think) listed in their initial top 20; but seems to me Western dual kicker Mark Legghio - just outstanding place-kicking & punting numbers this season, should blow him away. That initial Bureau listing was heavy on NCAA Canucks but a number of them are not doing much in US college ball this season = maybe shouldn`t be rated near that high. A bunch of U Sports stars should rise up in subsequent rankings - like DTs Andrew S-Spauding (McGill) and Cam Lawson (Queens) - both Conference award winners this year),and a few receivers - Brocku (Manitoba), Hastings (Acadia), Hall (Laurier), Klassen (Sask Huskies)

Yah, Ben St. Juste eligibility is kind of mixed up. He is listed on the Minnesota roster as a Senior but apparently he has 2 or 3 years of College sports eligibility left. He went to Michigan in 2016 but I guess he didn't play much because of injury but he already graduated so under the new NCAA rules of a few years ago, he could transfer and play right away instead of sitting out a year. Don't know why he would want to keep playing College football when he could get paid to play a better brand of football in the CFL. The NFL would still find him if he is good enough.

Interesting about Western kicker Mark Legghio. Pfeffer is to inconsistent IMO.
The UCLA kicker Molsen is strictly a place kicker it seems and doesn't seem to have much range past 45 yards but he must be very reliable for the CFL scouts to have him rated at number 12 in the top 20 list. Sounds like he would be an upgrade over Crapigna.

OV Argo

11-11-2019, 12:00 PM

We`re evolving this thread to one about CFL upcoming draft prospects - and receiver Brendan O`Leary-Orange (Nevada) - who is on this year`s initial CFL Scouting Bureau top 20 list - finally had a stat for this season - one catch, but for 50 yards. Mentioning this cause i see from his bio that he is the son of former Argo RB Doyle Orange (i remember his 1000 yard Argo rushing season) - and don`t recall that being brought up here before. Big 6-4 receiver target who had a decent receiving season in NCAA ball a couple of years back, but hasn`t done as much the past 2 seasons. Maybe the Argos look at bloodlines in the draft - but not sure the Argos have anymore room at NI receiver. But hey - maybe the Argos draft him and Nathan Rourke and have he and O`Connor throwing to 3 NIs in the receiving corps. LOL

doubleblue

11-11-2019, 03:48 PM

jerrym

11-13-2019, 06:27 PM

In yesterday's game against Western Michigan Rourke was 20/29 for 225 yards in addition to 93 yards rushing on the ground. Trailing 31-24 with 47 seconds remaining,

The Bobcats took over at their own 47, and senior quarterback Nathan Rourke (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/rourke_nathan_b4oy) (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) completed a 27-yard pass along the sideline to redshirt freshman wide receiver Jerome Buckner (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/buckner_jerome_u0qf) (Columbus, Ohio). Rourke then completed passes of nine yards to redshirt freshman running back O'Shaan Allison (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/allison_o-shaan_em9p) (Norristown, Pa.) and five yards to redshirt junior tight end Ryan Luehrman (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/luehrman_ryan_nsox) (Athens, Ohio) to give the Bobcats a first down at the Western Michigan 12. On the next play, with nine seconds left, Rourke threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Tyler Tupa (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/tupa_tyler_jp0d) (Brecksville, Ohio), and redshirt senior placekicker Louie Zervos (https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/zervos_louie_ynnj) (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) made the extra point to force overtime. ...

Ohio got the ball to start overtime but was unable to pick up a first down, settling for a 37-yard field goal by Zervos. Western Michigan then took over possession and gave senior running back LeVante Bellamy the ball three times, with the first carry going for 20 yards and the last going for four and the game-winning touchdown. ...

Rourke increased his school record for touchdowns responsible for to 101.
https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191112xq7495

jerrym

11-23-2019, 02:19 PM

This week Nathan Rourke led Ohio to a dominating 66-24 victory over Bowling Green while going 14/21 for 267 yards and passing for three touchdowns. His brother Kurtis Rourke, another QB who broke many of Nathan's high school records at Holy Trinity in Oakville, got into his first game action at Ohio, carrying the ball three times for 20 yards. He is only a freshman.

jerrym

11-26-2019, 09:56 PM

Rourke passed for 308 yards while going 20/28 with 4 TD passes in leading Ohio to a lopsided 52-3 victory against Akron today before leaving the game to allow his backups some playing time.

jerrym

12-02-2019, 07:58 PM

Below is a review of QB Kurtis Rourke, Nathan's freshman brother who is expected to become Ohio's starting QB, sometime after his brother leaves Ohio at the end of this school year. The first url gives a more detailed of Kurtis.

https://canadafootballchat.com/ohio-continues-the-family-tradition-signing-cfc100-kurtis-rourke/

Prior to Ohio: Finished his career at Holy Trinity High School with 4,250 passing yards, 63 passing touchdowns, 705 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns ... Completed 70 percent of his passes ... Two-time league MVP and two-time first team all-star selection ... Helped lead Holy Trinity to a Halton Championship in 2017 and a finalist finish in '18.
https://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/rourke_kuris_a0fz

OV Argo

12-02-2019, 10:21 PM

Wonder if the emergence of some very good mobile, running QBs having success in pro ball recently - guy with the Ravens in the NFL in particular; Fajardo & Strevler in the CFL - could open some doors for Nathan Rourke ? - maybe doubtful in the NFL without the real name program resume, but the CFL should IMO really be paying attention to the potential of this kind of QB talent. We shall see come CFL draft day. A Canadian QB selected in the 1st round? - be right up there with the pigs flying I witnessed at the Big Owe in 77 ;o)

jerrym

12-10-2019, 03:44 PM

Nathan Rourke finished third in the Winter CFL Scouting Bureau rankings, the same ranking that he had in September. He made MAC Conference First Team All Star, based on a career best 2,676 passing yards with a 61.4% completion rate, 780 yards rushing, with 20 passing TDs and 12 rushing TDs. For his three year career at Ohio (he previously played junior college) he had 7,313 yards passing with a 58.8% completion rate, and 2,547 rushing yards and an Ohio record 110 TDs (60 passing, 48 rushing, and 2 receiving).

jerrym

12-10-2019, 03:48 PM

Rourke will play his final collegiate game on January 3rd at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against the Nevada Wolfpack. It will be televised on ESPN.

jerrym

12-30-2019, 09:45 PM

Rourke's final college game will also be broadcast on TSN 1 and 3 on January 3rd at 3:30 PM ET when Ohio faces the Nevada Wolfpack in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

doubleblue

01-03-2020, 04:12 PM

First quarter 3-3. Rourke is a good running QB. Could he be used similar to Streveler as he develops on a CFL team? Doesn't look as big as Streveler but looks to be a better passer.
O'Leary-Orange has caught one short pass for Nevada and over thrown on a deep pass.

Former Argo QB John Congemi doing the colour for ESPN on this game.

doubleblue

01-03-2020, 04:58 PM

20-9 for Ohio at the half. Nathan Rourke making it look easy running the ball against Navada, but it won't be that easy in the pros. Missed a wide open receiver in the end zone when he hurried a pass.

O'Leary-Orange had a drop on the one pass thrown his way, but he was in tight coverage. Threw a nice block to allow his RB to get the corner on a Nevada running play.
Nevada freshman QB Carson Strong has a good arm with a nice touch.

doubleblue

01-03-2020, 06:05 PM

30-9 at three quarters. Mouse Davis could make a good run and shoot QB out of Rourke. He has some zip on his throws but over threw two more wide open receivers. Rourke is kind of a throw back to the old option play and he runs it well.

Orange was called for offinsive interference once but didn't see a pass thrown his way.

OV Argo

01-03-2020, 06:06 PM

OV Argo

01-03-2020, 06:53 PM

Nevada coming back to make it close; again - this Elijah Cooks kid at receiver for them is just sensational IMO - big 6-4 target who can make tough catches; 3rd year guy i believe - if he does not draw NFL interest down the road, i hope some Argo scouts watched this game.

Rourke named player of the game; has led Ohio to 3 straight Bowl wins - any CFL scouts watching ? ;o)

doubleblue

01-03-2020, 07:10 PM

Rourke is an outstanding running QB - tough and hard to bring down and also showed a nice burst of speed on a long TD run; and while he missed a few deep throws to open receivers, his passing arm looks pretty good - made some accurate throws and no picks or ducks. And so nice to see an offence use a consistent and diverse run game to dominate - so long gone from possibility in the same old CFL offensive thinking style nowdays. Rourke to be a top CFL draft pick ? - i highly doubt it, but maybe (several CFL teams have huge need for TC QB competition IMO) - similar skill set to Western QB Chris Merchant, who went CFL GOB un-drafted. We shall see. Same deal for Dinos QB Sinagra - outstanding passing arm who just won the Vanier.

Impressed by the Nevada rookie QB's passing arm; and one of their receivers (Cooks i think) made a number of excellent, athletic catches; O'Leary-Orange did not do much but was not targeted much - at least he was a regular on their offence. Probably a high CFL draft pick, but not sure he is a top 5 draft board receiver (several U Sports receivers might deserve to be rated higher rather than CFL scouting deference to NCAA resumes).

30-21 final for Ohio. Fumbles in the 4th quarter made things interesting. Nathan Rourke chosen player of the game. But I agree his passing isn't ready for the CFL just yet. He isn't Doug Flutie but has some of that ability to be a game changer down the road IMO.

O'Leary-Orange had a couple of nice catches in the 4th out of four thrown his way. Couldn't hold on in the end zone late in the game under double coverage. He doesn't look his listed 6'4, probably closer to 6' 2. Could be a good possession type receiver eventually in the CFL.
Will be interesting to see if Rourke and O'Leary-Orange show up for the CFL combine in March to see how they compare with the CIS guys. They're both rated 1st round now I would think with Gallimore and Claypool probably NFL bound.
If the Argos wanted to draft Rourke they might have to take him with their first pick as Hamilton with two picks in the 1st round could afford to use one of theirs to take a fairly local guy from Oakville.

jerrym

01-06-2020, 12:10 AM

Rourke did what he does best in the game, run with exceptional skill, especially for a QB, and manage the game with an authoritative presence that never gets too excited or down that is relayed to his teammates. He was well off the mark on three passes to wide open receivers. Perhaps some of that might be related to not having played a game in over a month, but his passes were far from tight spirals so he will need to work on that. However, he has shown he has the determination, focus and coach ability that has enabled him to overcome many obstacles to get as far as he has in his career so far.

paulwoods13

01-06-2020, 07:36 AM

If the Argos wanted to draft Rourke they might have to take him with their first pick as Hamilton with two picks in the 1st round could afford to use one of theirs to take a fairly local guy from Oakville.

Unless he has significantly more upside than O'Connor (which I doubt), I would not spend a first-round pick on him. We have O'Connor in the pipeline already, which is a great position to be in. Need to focus our highest picks on positions with greater need, IMO. Especially o-line, where we have some young talent but have no idea whether they will pan out. In later rounds I'd be fine with drafting Rourke or another good QB prospect.

jerrym

01-20-2020, 02:18 AM

As I commented in the Double Blue section, Rourke looked sharper at the NFLPA Bowl with his passes, throwing a TD pass that was called back, and having several well thrown balls dropped, but he did throw an interception. However, he did not let that or three penalties by teammates inside the ten yard line bother him, throwing a TD pass pass interference penalty after two previous offside penalties when he twice took the team to the one yard line. The NFLPA Bowl HC did not seem to take advantage of Rourke's running ability utilizing him as a drop back passer instead, but Rourke still showed flashes of his running ability by scampering for ten yards twice for first downs.

Rourke's comment on the NFLPA Bowl is below:

"Playing here does a lot because you're doing NFL stuff and going against high talent," Rourke said. "It's tough to get chemistry within a week, but it can help with the scouts because we were able to do interviews."
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001097520/article/tiano-leads-national-to-3020-win-in-nflpa-collegiate-bowl

jerrym

03-01-2020, 11:58 PM

Nathan Rourke's pro day will be March 17th.

During his senior season, Rourke threw for 2,676 yards, 20 touchdowns against five interceptions with a 61.4 completion percentage. He rushed for 780 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards-per-carry. The Bobcats went 6-6 and earned a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl spot, a game they would go on to win with Rourke being named MVP. (https://3downnation.com/2020/01/04/canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-leads-ohio-to-bowl-win-in-final-ncaa-game/)
The physical activity and sport coaching major earned 2019 All-Mid-American Conference first-team honours.

Rourke started all 13 games as a junior in 2018 and led the Bobcats to a win in the Frisco Bowl and a 9-4 overall record. He completed 164-of-274 of his passes (59.9 per cent) for 2,434 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions while carrying the ball 134 times for 860 yards (6.4 yards-per-carry) and 15 touchdowns.

The dual-threat QB finished his Ohio career with a 24-13 record as a starting quarterback and was under centre for three-straight bowl victories. Ohio matched the University of Toledo (1969-1971) and Miami University (1973-1975) for the most consecutive bowl wins in Mid-American Conference history.

Over three seasons at Ohio, Rourke produced 7,313 passing yards, 60 touchdowns compared to 20 interceptions and 2,552 rushing yards with 48 touchdowns plus three receptions for 20 yards and two touchdowns — program-record 110 total touchdowns. The six-foot-two, dual-threat passer has the skills to succeed at the pro level. The Oakville, Ontario native is catching the attention of scouts on both sides of the border.
https://3downnation.com/2020/03/01/canadian-qb-nathan-rourkes-pro-day-set-for-march-17/

jerrym

11-12-2020, 03:34 PM

There's another O'Rourke QB entering the picture - Nathan's brother Kurtis.

Kurtis Rourke is, of course, the younger brother of B.C. Lions’ draft pick and two-time Cornish Trophy winner Nathan Rourke (https://3downnation.com/2020/05/01/nathan-rourke-ties-jesse-palmer-for-highest-quarterback-ever-taken-in-cfl-draft/). Unlike his dual-threat sibling, this Rourke is a statuesque pocket passer. His first career start as a redshirt freshman didn’t take him out of his brother’s shadow, but it certainly flashed some high-end potential.

Going 12-of-19 for 231 yards and two touchdowns, Rourke exhibited big-time arm talent when able to rifle the ball down the field. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination — he hung onto the ball too long, took bad sacks that resulted in fumbles and needed to give way to the running talents of Armani Rogers to get the team rolling at times.
Still, Kurtis might already be a better pure downfield passer than Nathan and he’s got three years or more still to develop. Nothing excites football fans in this country like a Canadian quarterback and Kurtis Rourke is the next one to watch.

https://3downnation.com/2020/11/09/intro-to-canadian-studies-tropical-breakout-tops-week-10-ncaa-action/

paulwoods13

11-12-2020, 05:06 PM

Nothing excites football fans in this country like a Canadian quarterback . . .

Really? I wonder what evidence 3DN has for that assertion.

OV Argo

11-15-2020, 11:12 PM

Nothing excites football fans in this country like a Canadian quarterback . . .

Really? I wonder what evidence 3DN has for that assertion.

Yep; more lip service, phony B$ to dance around the topic, rather than addressing the real heart of the subject (the attitudes of CFL GOBs); don't recall that big supporter of Canadian QBs - Dustin Junk - saying boo about Adam Sinagra (who had been on the CFL Scouting Bureau's top 20 prospects list) going totally over-looked and un-drafted last draft. Don't think a single 3 Down reporter had the guts to ask some serious questions there = they accept CFL standard thinking on the matter and don't want to rock the boat - maybe CFL shills wouldn't talk to them and feed them insider info.

jerrym

06-26-2022, 12:25 PM

Nothing excites football fans in this country like a Canadian quarterback . . .

Really? I wonder what evidence 3DN has for that assertion.

Last night Nathan Rourke not only won the game 44-3, he set a Canadian QB record with 436 passing yards.
Just as the success of the first Black QBs, primarily in the CFL, led to more Black kids imagining them, then trying out for QB, and years later becoming a growing pipeline of Black QBs in the NFL, Rourke's success will help inspire more Canadian kids to do the same and join the steadily growing list of pro QBs.

paulwoods13

06-27-2022, 08:28 AM

Just as the success of the first Black QBs, primarily in the CFL, led to more Black kids imagining them, then trying out for QB, and years later becoming a growing pipeline of Black QBs in the NFL, Rourke's success will help inspire more Canadian kids to do the same and join the steadily growing list of pro QBs.

I'm not disagreeing that success by Rourke might inspire Canadian kids to hope they can make it to the CFL. But let's not overstate it -- as long as football has been played, some kids have wanted to play QB, without regard for the realities of how few individuals actually make the pros. And I don't know of any evidence that the success of Black QBs in the CFL had any influence on Black American kids trying to play QB. There weren't many kids of any colour in Florida or Texas or California paying attention to Canadian football in the 1970s and '80s.

argolio

06-27-2022, 01:24 PM

I'm not disagreeing that success by Rourke might inspire Canadian kids to hope they can make it to the CFL. But let's not overstate it -- as long as football has been played, some kids have wanted to play QB, without regard for the realities of how few individuals actually make the pros. And I don't know of any evidence that the success of Black QBs in the CFL had any influence on Black American kids trying to play QB. There weren't many kids of any colour in Florida or Texas or California paying attention to Canadian football in the 1970s and '80s.I think the biggest factors in more black kids playing QB down south were desegregation, and the good-old-boy coaches getting squeezed out if they weren't smart enough to adapt.

jerrym

07-01-2022, 01:44 AM

And I don't know of any evidence that the success of Black QBs in the CFL had any influence on Black American kids trying to play QB. There weren't many kids of any colour in Florida or Texas or California paying attention to Canadian football in the 1970s and '80s.

Some black QBs disagree and Black Studies profs disagree. "Moon's success inspired aspiring Black QBs to consider playing in Canada and use it as a route to the NFL".
"The fact that he played up is huge" Montreal QB Vernon Adams said. "For him to accomplish so much here then reach the NFL and set the path for us, is just awesome. It's something I look up to as motivation."
' “As a business, the CFL recognized it could also benefit from having black quarterbacks by providing them the opportunity to play. Of course, the first QBs who were successful also paved the way for those who came later. Equally significant, the overall success of the black QBs disrupts the myth of their capabilities,” said Karen Flynn, associate professor of African-American studies at Illinois.'

Disrupting the myth of one's capabilities whether based on race, nationality, height etc. does encourage others to follow in the footsteps of those who have broken down barriers.