NFL Teams Evaluating CFL Quarterback

A young passer for the CFL's B.C. Lions has distinguished himself enough that NFL teams have begun to take notice. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports quarterback Nathan Rourke will begin working out for NFL teams next week now that his team has been eliminated from the playoffs.

BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke, who led the CFL this season in passer rating, is set to begin working out for NFL teams next week. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Rourke is from Ontario, played collegiately at Ohio, had a record 78.7 completion % last season, and now has NFL visits lined up.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2022

Rourke was born in Victoria, British Columbia and played some High School football in Oakville, Ontario before transferring to Edgewood Academy in Elmore, Alabama for his senior year. He played his college ball at the University of Ohio, compiling 7457 passing yards and 2034 rushing yards with 109 total touchdowns in three seasons with the Bobcats. He was passed over in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Rourke proved himself a meticulous and efficient passer in his second season with the Lions, passing for 334.9 yards per game with an eye-popping 78.7 completion percentage and 123.6 passer rating. He also added 30.4 rushing yards per game at 7.8 yards per attempt. Still only 24, Rourke has shown the tools necessary to earn a chance at football's highest level.

Rourke wouldn't be the first former CFL quarterback to find success in the NFL. The gold standard remains Warren Moon, who won five Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos before beginning his Hall of Fame career in the NFL. Joe Theismann, Doug Flutie, and Jeff Garcia also had long, successful careers after stints in the CFL.

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