*a series dedicated to profiling the players on the Giants’ roster. Know The Giant will be released daily from now until the start of the season. Up next: quarterback Nathan Rourke
Basic Information
- Age: 26 years old
- College: Ohio Bobcats
- Experience: entering second year in the NFL
- Joined Giants in free agency this offseason
Career Statistics
- Never appeared in a regular season game
- However, appeared in preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Three games played, 23/35 348 yards, one touchdown total
.@nathan_rourke the magician! 🪄
— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2023
📱: Stream #JAXvsDAL on NFL+ https://t.co/bBFpXewtKp pic.twitter.com/aJyI00EdVw
Overview
After a three-year career at the Ohio University, Rourke was drafted into the CFL by the BC Lions in 2020. But, the league’s season was canceled because of COVID. Ironically, he tried out for the Giants at wideout in May of 2021. In the end, he would go back to the CFL and play quarterback for the Lions on May 19, 2021, signing a three-year deal with them.
In 39 games with the Ohio Bobcats, Rourke threw for 7,475 yards and 70 passing touchdowns. Oh, and he was a monster on the ground. He rushed for 2,639 yards and 49 touchdowns. So, you would assume he carried that over into the CFL.
You would be right. He played 23 games for the Lions, throwing for 4,103 yards and 28 touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 415 yards and 12 scores.
In 2022, he won the league’s MVP award (known as the Most Outstanding Canadian Award). With 25 touchdowns compared to six interceptions for the Lions that year, it’s not a surprise he won the award. Rourke led the Lions into the postseason and led all passers with 621 yards in two games in the playoffs.
2024 Expectations
It will be difficult for Rourke to make the active roster. With Daniel Jones and Drew Lock all but set to occupy the QB1 and QB2 positions respectively, Rourke will compete for just a QB3 job that may not be there once the active roster is set. In the end, New York could roll with just two signal-callers by week one.
However, Rourke’s dual-threat ability is appealing. He will compete with Tommy Devito for the QB3 spot. The preseason will be big for him to show what he can do at the NFL level again.
Rourke is a name to watch. But, I don’t expect him to challenge for any of the top two quarterback spots. Injuries to the guys ahead of him will be the only chance he’ll get to make the active roster.
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Featured Image: Luke Hales/Getty Images
2 Comments
Nathan Rourke played at Ohio University, not the University of Ohio.
great catch, fixed it!