THE CASE FOR CANADIAN QUARTERBACKS

By: Braedyn Wozniak, RP Show Intern

By now, all Canadian football fans know of Nathan Rourke.

The Canadian quarterback born in Victoria B.C. and raised in Oakville, Ontario was playing at a pace never seen before in CFL history this season.

His season with the Lions came to a close in the Western Final at the hands of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and now he will attempt to take his talents to the NFL.

Reports are saying around 24 NFL teams are interested in the Canadian standout. This is relatively new territory for Canadian QB’s, as there hasn’t been one since Jesse Palmer in the early 2000’s.

Here’s the catch; Nathan’s brother Kurtis, who plays for the same Ohio Bobcats collegiate team Nathan did, might be even better.

“As a thrower at the collegiate level, his brother (is better),” said TSN Analyst Dave Naylor on the Rod Pedersen Show Wednesday. “Kurtis is more of a pure thrower.”

Impressive, considering Nathan Rourke broke Ricky Ray’s CFL record for passing percentage, completing nearly 80% of his passes this season.

“He’s more of the guy who’s going to take the ball, stand in the pocket, got a big arm, he’s six-foot-five and he can throw the ball all over the field.

“I’ve been amazed.”

Kurtis has been a revelation for the Bobcats, throwing for 3,256 yards and 25 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

He followed in his brother’s footsteps going to Ohio, but may be playing in one of the premier college conferences soon.

 “Nobody will be surprised if Kurtis Rourke goes into the transfer portal at the end of this season and he’s playing in a power-five conference somewhere next year,” said Naylor.

“I talked to somebody who talked an offensive coach at a power-five school who said to me if that guy’s in the portal, my recommendation would be we go after him.”

Considering Kurtis is only in his second year of eligibility, there is a possibility he’ll be playing under the brightest lights in College Football before his NFL draft eligibility.

For Nathan Rourke, his path to success has been much different. As Naylor said, he was a much different quarterback when he was a Bobcat.

“(Nathan’s) completion percentage in college was 58.5%,” he said. “Nathan was a dual threat guy. He was as likely to pull the ball down, run for 11 yards and take a hit. He was not a slider. He was almost another running back on that team.”

Nathan’s completion percentage was a cause for concern for many pro teams, and the reason he went undrafted in the NFL.

“I know that was one of the knocks on him coming over to the CFL,” said Naylor. “That has evolved for him. Nathan Rourke has evolved in the style of play he’s brought to the CFL.”

Nathan is hoping his evolved play-style and mightily improved throwing ability will take him to the NFL, and his brother might be joining him soon.

The two gifted brothers provide a ton of upside with their athletic ability, but it’s the vast improvement in their game that has many scouts believing they can reach that ceiling.

Nathan played back-up to Mike Reilly for the B.C. Lions last year. He got some playing time, but nothing suggested he would lead CFL quarterbacks in passing and rushing this season.

Kurtis had a similar path to his starter role, playing back-up last season before his breakout season, currently fifth among collegiate quarterbacks in passing yards and 10^th in touchdowns.

“It’s really interesting how far the Rourke brothers have come in the last 12 months,” said Naylor. “They are both taking great leaps forward.”

If Nathan is able to land a roster spot in the NFL this off-season and Kurtis continues on this trajectory, Canadians might not have one, but two, Canadian quarterbacks to root for in the NFL next season.

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)

Photo: BC Lions