3 best transfer destinations for Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke

Kurtis Rourke is not yet in the transfer portal, and he may not be, but here are three potential destinations for the best quarterback in the MAC this season.

The Ohio Bobcats won the MAC East Division this year, on the strength of a seven-game winning streak. They did most of that with quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who sits 11th in the FBS in total offense (3,502 total yards) with 29 total touchdowns (25 passing) entering bowl season.

Rourke suffered a season-ending torn right ACL and meniscus in the second-to-last regular season game against Ball State. So he did not play in the Bobcats’ MAC Championship Game loss to Toledo, and he of course won’t play in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl against Wyoming on Dec. 30.

Rourke has made it clear his intention is to be back in Athens next season, with his injury naturally clouding his status for the start of the 2023 campaign. He’s not in the transfer portal yet, but as those floodgates open up, things can change.

If he were healthy right now and in the transfer portal, Rourke would be in demand. Truly, even if it means waiting for him in 2023 with eyes on 2024, Rourke may have some interest in the portal anyway.

Again, Rourke is not in the transfer portal and he may never be. But here are three potential destinations for him with the non-zero percent chance things change for him and he entertains other options.

Kurtis Rourke transfer rumors: 3 landing spots for Ohio QB

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame has lost starting quarterback Drew Pyne to the transfer portal, in surprising timing more than a surprise decision. He will not play in the bowl game.

The Fighting Irish could easily turn to the portal for someone who is healthy right now (Devin Leary, Hudson Card). Four-star 2021 recruit Tyler Buchner could step in next season, with a possible audition coming in the Gator Bowl against South Carolina. But adding some competition to the quarterback room seems to be an order.

Rourke would be a nice transfer portal addition for Notre Dame if they’re willing to embrace perhaps not having him at all next season.

2. BYU Cougars

If Jaren Hall comes back, BYU is in a very good place under center for 2023. If he declares for the NFL Draft, the loss of backup quarterback Jacob Conover to the transfer portal will hurt a little more next season. But it would also open up the race for the starting job to replace Hall, with three inexperienced options currently in place (Cade Finnegan, Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters, Nick Billoups).

Hall has said he plans to play in BYU’s bowl game, despite an injury in the regular season finale against Stanford. That itself may be a hint he intends to come back next year.

Rourke would be an addition with 2024 in mind more than next season, as he works his way back from his knee injury. If he changes course and enters the transfer portal, BYU coach Kalani Sitake should have significant interest.

1. Wisconsin Badgers

Luke Fickell is coming from Cincinnati to permanently replace Paul Chryst in Madison, and it’s not surprising Graham Mertz has entered the transfer portal. As Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reminded us, Fickell tended to favor dual-threat quarterbacks at Cincinnati (Desmond Ridder).

Mertz did not fit that bill, but Rourke of course does far better. The Badgers have an oral commitment from Cole LaCrue, a dual-threat signal caller out of Colorado, in their 2023 class and he plans to honor the commitment even with the coaching change. Current freshman Myles Burkett seems to fit Fickell’s template for a quarterback, and Chase Wolf could be back for a sixth year in the program next year.

Fickell could already be eyeing Rourke as a possible (and however remote right now) option in the transfer portal, with options to hold down the fort under center next season. If Rourke considers transferring, and they’re willing to wait for his return to health, Wisconsin looks like a perfect fit.

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