Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Kurtis Rourke
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Maddog13
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Posted: 9/2/2024 6:11 AM
Now that the Ohio Bobcats, in the age of NIL, have become a developmental team for the Power 5 conferences, it is time to celebrate one of our own: Kurtis Rourke, who looked good in his debut for Indiana as they spanked FIU 31 - 7. According to The Herald-Times, "Rourke moves well and at 6-foot-5, 223-pounds isn't easy for defensive linemen to bring down. He broke multiple tackles in the backfield and burned FIU on a third-and-20 when completed a deep pass to Miles Cross after escaping a would-be tackler." Let's not hate, let's debate.
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Posted: 9/2/2024 9:16 AM
Was I upset when Kurtis entered the portal? Yes. I knew what it meant for this year. But something that stands out to me is Kurtis still follows us closely. If you look at his twitter, his last retweet is when OU football posted the video of the video game touchdown. Most guys transfer out and act like they have nothing to do with OU. Delete all pictures, don’t say anything publicly, etc. I’m happy he’s showing what he’s capable of at the next level.
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Posted: 9/2/2024 9:17 AM
With that schedule, he should have a great start to the year! He will do just fine for himself
MedinaCat
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Posted: 9/2/2024 11:00 AM
You can watch him week 3 (9/4 @ 5:30)on NBC at UCLA. Another reason why we are now a feeder to the Power 5.
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Posted: 9/2/2024 2:01 PM
I'm happy for him. If the transfer portal is going to be the new norm in college football (and it is) then Kurtis Rourke's career is pretty much the ideal for us. He played four full years in green and white before spending his final season of eligibility on a team that sets him up better for the draft. He obviously doesn't need my approval in his decision-making but he has it all the same.
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Posted: 9/3/2024 11:31 AM
Now do Bangura, Jacoby Jones, O'Shaan Allison, Miles Cross and the other guys that jumped ship. Hint - they barely touched the football in Week 1.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 9/3/2024 1:15 PM
Morris Mound wrote:expand_more
I'm happy for him. If the transfer portal is going to be the new norm in college football (and it is) then Kurtis Rourke's career is pretty much the ideal for us. He played four full years in green and white before spending his final season of eligibility on a team that sets him up better for the draft. He obviously doesn't need my approval in his decision-making but he has it all the same.
Yeah, I can live with Rourke. I hope he balls out. It's the other guys I hate they moved on. Hate it even more that they aren't playing. Of course, it's their life and just my favorite football team, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Said it in another thread, but I hope Bangura gets a shot. He's got real talent. (I might not have said that if Tyus didn't look every bit as good, if not better.) Same with Jacoby. I love his game. Tough as nails. Great downfield blocker. We could really use him this season, obviously. Surprised he didn't get any PT. I haven't been following them, but I wonder if hes fully healthy?
shabamon
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Posted: 9/3/2024 5:01 PM
Rourke was in the program for five years and earned at least one degree from Ohio. If Covid didn't happen, that would be about the maximum you could expect from an athlete. While it would be noble to stay for the "unfinished business" of winning a MAC championship, I'm sure his personal goals are bigger than that. Whether I root for an athlete who leaves Ohio for greater things hinges on the following:

1) Did you earn a degree? If not then:
2) Was the timing right? Did you max out what you could do athletically at Ohio? Is there nothing left for you to prove at the MAC level?
3) Were you honest with the staff the whole way aka my personal Mark Sears rule?
4) If you make it big, does Ohio get some recognition? For example, if Kurtis is drafted, does he make it a point to be announced as from Indiana University AND Ohio University? Is he listed on a pro roster as from IU AND Ohio? We had him for five years and Indiana gets him for one, why should they get all the credit for his success?
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 9/3/2024 9:41 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Rourke was in the program for five years and earned at least one degree from Ohio. If Covid didn't happen, that would be about the maximum you could expect from an athlete. While it would be noble to stay for the "unfinished business" of winning a MAC championship, I'm sure his personal goals are bigger than that. Whether I root for an athlete who leaves Ohio for greater things hinges on the following:

1) Did you earn a degree? If not then:
2) Was the timing right? Did you max out what you could do athletically at Ohio? Is there nothing left for you to prove at the MAC level?
3) Were you honest with the staff the whole way aka my personal Mark Sears rule?
4) If you make it big, does Ohio get some recognition? For example, if Kurtis is drafted, does he make it a point to be announced as from Indiana University AND Ohio University? Is he listed on a pro roster as from IU AND Ohio? We had him for five years and Indiana gets him for one, why should they get all the credit for his success?
I believe professional rosters always go from the college you were drafted from.

Current examples that I looked at from top of mind… Carson Steele, says UCLA.
Penix, Washington. Bo Nix, Oregon. Jayden Daniels, LSU.. Hendon Hooker, UT. And our very own Armani Rogers… says Ohio. He spent more time at UNLV..

If Kurtis gets drafted. He’ll be an IU guy, sadly. Maybe one day he’ll be on MNF and he’ll say Ohio, like Aaron Rodgers used to say Butte College.
shabamon
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Posted: 9/3/2024 9:45 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Rourke was in the program for five years and earned at least one degree from Ohio. If Covid didn't happen, that would be about the maximum you could expect from an athlete. While it would be noble to stay for the "unfinished business" of winning a MAC championship, I'm sure his personal goals are bigger than that. Whether I root for an athlete who leaves Ohio for greater things hinges on the following:

1) Did you earn a degree? If not then:
2) Was the timing right? Did you max out what you could do athletically at Ohio? Is there nothing left for you to prove at the MAC level?
3) Were you honest with the staff the whole way aka my personal Mark Sears rule?
4) If you make it big, does Ohio get some recognition? For example, if Kurtis is drafted, does he make it a point to be announced as from Indiana University AND Ohio University? Is he listed on a pro roster as from IU AND Ohio? We had him for five years and Indiana gets him for one, why should they get all the credit for his success?
I believe professional rosters always go from the college you were drafted from.

Current examples that I looked at from top of mind… Carson Steele, says UCLA.
Penix, Washington. Bo Nix, Oregon. Jayden Daniels, LSU.. Hendon Hooker, UT. And our very own Armani Rogers… says Ohio. He spent more time at UNLV..

If Kurtis gets drafted. He’ll be an IU guy, sadly. Maybe one day he’ll be on MNF and he’ll say Ohio, like Aaron Rodgers used to say Butte College.
The roster might say so, but let's say he declares for the draft. Does he personally make it a point to whomever up the chain to be announced as from Ohio alongside Indiana? Your MNF examples is a good point.

Take Burrow for example. I don't think OSU should get any mention there because he didn't make a name for himself there.
Last Edited: 9/3/2024 9:47:51 PM by shabamon
Bobcat Love
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Posted: 9/4/2024 3:51 PM
MedinaCat wrote:expand_more
You can watch him week 3 (9/4 @ 5:30)on NBC at UCLA. Another reason why we are now a feeder to the Power 5.
All of us enabled the behavior. Don't get it twisted.
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Posted: 9/7/2024 12:08 AM
Cats5 wrote:expand_more
Was I upset when Kurtis entered the portal? Yes. I knew what it meant for this year. But something that stands out to me is Kurtis still follows us closely. If you look at his twitter, his last retweet is when OU football posted the video of the video game touchdown. Most guys transfer out and act like they have nothing to do with OU. Delete all pictures, don’t say anything publicly, etc. I’m happy he’s showing what he’s capable of at the next level.
Agreed. I try to follow all Bobcat transfers. Rourke had a record-breaking night a few hours ago, although it was against WIU. They did mention former MAC standout several times.

Although these guys may go elsewhere, Athens never leaves your heart.

Only players I don't follow post transfer are ones that go to Miami or Marshall.
Chris Galloway
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Posted: 9/8/2024 10:06 AM
Kurtis gave us 5 years. A lot of wins. Got two degrees. Met his now wife at OU. He's a Bobcat through and through. I totally understand his desire to take his shot in the B1G and raise his profile for the NFL. I will always root for him.

Players who left for quick money and aren't playing. It's a lousy lesson. You really helping your NFL dreams riding the bench in Colorado instead of being a First Team All-MAC candidate and putting together good film? My hope is players see the realities and if they really love playing football - actually playing, they'll think twice in the future.
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Posted: 9/8/2024 9:36 PM
Chris Galloway wrote:expand_more
Kurtis gave us 5 years. A lot of wins. Got two degrees. Met his now wife at OU. He's a Bobcat through and through. I totally understand his desire to take his shot in the B1G and raise his profile for the NFL. I will always root for him.

Players who left for quick money and aren't playing. It's a lousy lesson. You really helping your NFL dreams riding the bench in Colorado instead of being a First Team All-MAC candidate and putting together good film? My hope is players see the realities and if they really love playing football - actually playing, they'll think twice in the future.
Sadly,not really how young folks think, especially when you consider they have “mentors” and “handlers”.

And YES in this day and age, there are companies who are “head hunters”, getting paid $25-50k to deliver players an NIL with signing. Yes, that is actually happening.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 9/9/2024 10:28 AM
Chris Galloway wrote:expand_more
Players who left for quick money and aren't playing. It's a lousy lesson. You really helping your NFL dreams riding the bench in Colorado instead of being a First Team All-MAC candidate and putting together good film? My hope is players see the realities and if they really love playing football - actually playing, they'll think twice in the future.
One would hope.

Watching almost none of these guys contribute as much as they could be here - other than Kurtis (lookin good kid) - is a bummer. I have no ill will, I'm just bummed out. Though for a lot of these kids, the NFL likely isn't calling, so one more year at high profile school like that could open up other doors for them.

Will Kac - 2 rec (never had eyepopping stat lines for OU so this is pretty cool )
Foster - 1 rec (same, though I think he would be a good safety valve for Parker)
Cross - 0 rec in an FCS blowout
Jacoby - 0 rec in an FCS blowout
Buehl - Hurt? Just not playing? 0 stats in two games.
Keye - I'll put him in the Kurtis category. Buddy paid his dues. He was at OU longer than 95% of us. Happy to see him with 8 tackles this season for Pitt.

Anyone who transferred down did so for a reason, Aramoni
Rhone is doing pretty well for Ark PB in FCS. 109 yards receiving this season. Good to see him getting PT.
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Posted: 9/9/2024 10:45 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Players who left for quick money and aren't playing. It's a lousy lesson. You really helping your NFL dreams riding the bench in Colorado instead of being a First Team All-MAC candidate and putting together good film? My hope is players see the realities and if they really love playing football - actually playing, they'll think twice in the future.
One would hope.

Watching almost none of these guys contribute as much as they could be here - other than Kurtis (lookin good kid) - is a bummer. I have no ill will, I'm just bummed out. Though for a lot of these kids, the NFL likely isn't calling, so one more year at high profile school like that could open up other doors for them.

Will Kac - 2 rec (never had eyepopping stat lines for OU so this is pretty cool )
Foster - 1 rec (same, though I think he would be a good safety valve for Parker)
Cross - 0 rec in an FCS blowout
Jacoby - 0 rec in an FCS blowout
Buehl - Hurt? Just not playing? 0 stats in two games.
Keye - I'll put him in the Kurtis category. Buddy paid his dues. He was at OU longer than 95% of us. Happy to see him with 8 tackles this season for Pitt.

Anyone who transferred down did so for a reason, Aramoni
Rhone is doing pretty well for Ark PB in FCS. 109 yards receiving this season. Good to see him getting PT.

I think you’re right about being at a high profile school and maybe just being a “part” of a higher profile school may be enough for some guys. I tend to think that putting the emphasis on more money somewhere else is overplayed by some on here, but I may be wrong. If a player is going to make it to the NFL, he’s probably not a sub at a school like Colorado, more film playing here is not going to do it IMHO. The guys made their decisions for whatever reasons and we might as well move on it seems to me and not waste a lot of time telling them what bad decisions that made not staying at Ohio. Hopefully the guys in the future make the right decisions for themselves.
Last Edited: 9/9/2024 11:20:50 AM by colobobcat66
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Posted: 9/9/2024 12:02 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
Players who left for quick money and aren't playing. It's a lousy lesson. You really helping your NFL dreams riding the bench in Colorado instead of being a First Team All-MAC candidate and putting together good film? My hope is players see the realities and if they really love playing football - actually playing, they'll think twice in the future.
One would hope.

Watching almost none of these guys contribute as much as they could be here - other than Kurtis (lookin good kid) - is a bummer. I have no ill will, I'm just bummed out. Though for a lot of these kids, the NFL likely isn't calling, so one more year at high profile school like that could open up other doors for them.

Will Kac - 2 rec (never had eyepopping stat lines for OU so this is pretty cool )
Foster - 1 rec (same, though I think he would be a good safety valve for Parker)
Cross - 0 rec in an FCS blowout
Jacoby - 0 rec in an FCS blowout
Buehl - Hurt? Just not playing? 0 stats in two games.
Keye - I'll put him in the Kurtis category. Buddy paid his dues. He was at OU longer than 95% of us. Happy to see him with 8 tackles this season for Pitt.

Anyone who transferred down did so for a reason, Aramoni
Rhone is doing pretty well for Ark PB in FCS. 109 yards receiving this season. Good to see him getting PT.

I think you’re right about being at a high profile school and maybe just being a “part” of a higher profile school may be enough for some guys. I tend to think that putting the emphasis on more money somewhere else is overplayed by some on here, but I may be wrong. If a player is going to make it to the NFL, he’s probably not a sub at a school like Colorado, more film playing here is not going to do it IMHO. The guys made their decisions for whatever reasons and we might as well move on it seems to me and not waste a lot of time telling them what bad decisions that made not staying at Ohio. Hopefully the guys in the future make the right decisions for themselves.
Honestly, I sort of just think of it as akin to a kid getting promoted from Single A to Double A or whatever.

The odds of an NFL future from Ohio are very, very low. We've had a few guys get drafted, and fewer stick. So I assume people want to take a swing a bigger school in a bigger conference to increase their odds. It's a high risk, high reward approach but I'm not sure that people are going to massively regret it any more so than a solid single A player regrets getting promoted even if they end up never progressing past Double A.
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Posted: 9/9/2024 12:05 PM
Kurtis had a massive game statistically, but against Western Illinois. 15 for 17 for 268 and 2 TD, and ran for a TD as well. Sat the 2nd half of a 77-3 win.

True test starts Saturday at UCLA.
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Posted: 9/9/2024 12:49 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
...I tend to think that putting the emphasis on more money somewhere else is overplayed by some on here, but I may be wrong.
You say this, and then you make the exact point that I would make in arguing that money IS an important factor:

colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
... If a player is going to make it to the NFL, he’s probably not a sub at a school like Colorado, more film playing here is not going to do it IMHO. ...

I agree that if they are good enough to make the NFL, they would also start at Colorado, or wherever they went. If they aren't good enough to start at Colorado, they aren't good enough to play in the NFL, and no, if they aren't, then more film at Ohio isn't going to help. What I would add is that, if they are good enough to play in the NFL, they would get drafted from Ohio, and we've seen that happen multiple times.

When they move to P5, they will, in most cases, play less, but make more money. They might be moving because the new school has an academic track they are interested in. We've seen people transfer to Ohio for the Sports Management program. But, what's left at the end of the day is "more money".

colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
...The guys made their decisions for whatever reasons and we might as well move on it seems to me and not waste a lot of time telling them what bad decisions that made not staying at Ohio. Hopefully the guys in the future make the right decisions for themselves.

Right. They made their choice, and whatever results they got, they got. I hope for nothing but the best for these young men.
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Posted: 9/9/2024 10:41 PM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
...I tend to think that putting the emphasis on more money somewhere else is overplayed by some on here, but I may be wrong.
You say this, and then you make the exact point that I would make in arguing that money IS an important factor:

... If a player is going to make it to the NFL, he’s probably not a sub at a school like Colorado, more film playing here is not going to do it IMHO. ...

I agree that if they are good enough to make the NFL, they would also start at Colorado, or wherever they went. If they aren't good enough to start at Colorado, they aren't good enough to play in the NFL, and no, if they aren't, then more film at Ohio isn't going to help. What I would add is that, if they are good enough to play in the NFL, they would get drafted from Ohio, and we've seen that happen multiple times.

When they move to P5, they will, in most cases, play less, but make more money. They might be moving because the new school has an academic track they are interested in. We've seen people transfer to Ohio for the Sports Management program. But, what's left at the end of the day is "more money".

...The guys made their decisions for whatever reasons and we might as well move on it seems to me and not waste a lot of time telling them what bad decisions that made not staying at Ohio. Hopefully the guys in the future make the right decisions for themselves.

Right. They made their choice, and whatever results they got, they got. I hope for nothing but the best for these young men.

LC, as usual,you are spot on
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Posted: 9/11/2024 11:06 AM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
...I tend to think that putting the emphasis on more money somewhere else is overplayed by some on here, but I may be wrong.
You say this, and then you make the exact point that I would make in arguing that money IS an important factor:


I agree that if they are good enough to make the NFL, they would also start at Colorado, or wherever they went. If they aren't good enough to start at Colorado, they aren't good enough to play in the NFL, and no, if they aren't, then more film at Ohio isn't going to help. What I would add is that, if they are good enough to play in the NFL, they would get drafted from Ohio, and we've seen that happen multiple times.

When they move to P5, they will, in most cases, play less, but make more money. They might be moving because the new school has an academic track they are interested in. We've seen people transfer to Ohio for the Sports Management program. But, what's left at the end of the day is "more money".
I’m not exactly saying that money may not be important to some players, but you’re just making my point that money may not be as important as some on here say. I still don’t think it’s as important as you think it is in some players minds. We don’t even know how much money we’re talking about. I’ll put it this way, did every professional decision you ever make depend solely on how much money you could make to the exclusion of every other factor ? I’d presume not., it certainly wasn’t for me. Who knows what the factors were to each player - the coaches, playing time, academic offerings , location etc.?
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Posted: 9/11/2024 2:56 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
... you’re just making my point that money may not be as important as some on here say....

If you think that what I'm saying supports your point, and I think that what you are saying supports mine, maybe we agree more than we realize. ;)
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Posted: 9/11/2024 3:11 PM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
... you’re just making my point that money may not be as important as some on here say....

If you think that what I'm saying supports your point, and I think that what you are saying supports mine, maybe we agree more than we realize. ;)
You may be right
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Posted: 9/11/2024 11:01 PM
colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
...I tend to think that putting the emphasis on more money somewhere else is overplayed by some on here, but I may be wrong.
You say this, and then you make the exact point that I would make in arguing that money IS an important factor:


I agree that if they are good enough to make the NFL, they would also start at Colorado, or wherever they went. If they aren't good enough to start at Colorado, they aren't good enough to play in the NFL, and no, if they aren't, then more film at Ohio isn't going to help. What I would add is that, if they are good enough to play in the NFL, they would get drafted from Ohio, and we've seen that happen multiple times.

When they move to P5, they will, in most cases, play less, but make more money. They might be moving because the new school has an academic track they are interested in. We've seen people transfer to Ohio for the Sports Management program. But, what's left at the end of the day is "more money".
I’m not exactly saying that money may not be important to some players, but you’re just making my point that money may not be as important as some on here say. I still don’t think it’s as important as you think it is in some players minds. We don’t even know how much money we’re talking about. I’ll put it this way, did every professional decision you ever make depend solely on how much money you could make to the exclusion of every other factor ? I’d presume not., it certainly wasn’t for me. Who knows what the factors were to each player - the coaches, playing time, academic offerings , location etc.?
In Rourkes case you are talking $500k and in best case, you talking $450k difference. What you doing big boy? Turning down the cash to play Morgan State on pay preview?
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Posted: 9/15/2024 12:09 AM
He and Miles Cross totally ripped UCLA apart. The announcing crew raved about Rourke’s performance and mentioned OHIO numerous times throughout the broadcast.
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