BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Curt Cignetti’s track record with quarterbacks is one reason for optimism about the beginning of a new era in Indiana football.
The Hoosiers’ new head coach, along with offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and quarterback coach/co-offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, has led four different quarterbacks to conference player of the year honors at James Madison since 2019.
That success would certainly be welcome in Bloomington, where the quarterback position has been in flux of late. The Hoosiers haven’t had a starting quarterback last a full season since Peyton Ramsey in 2018.
The five years since have included two bowl games and some memorable moments from Ramsey and Michael Penix Jr., but Penix’s career at Indiana has been marred by four season-ending injuries. And after he was traded to Washington following the 2021 season, Indiana has struggled to find a reliable quarterback.
In the final three seasons of the Tom Allen era, nine quarterbacks attempted at least one pass: Penix, Jack Tuttle, Donaven McCulley, Grant Gremel, Connor Bazelak, Dexter Williams II, Brendan Sorsby, Tayven Jackson and Broc Lowry. This inconsistency contributed to Indiana’s worst record in the Big Ten of 9-27 during that span.
Hoping to change that trend, Cignetti added Ohio transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke to a roster that also includes returning Hoosiers Tayven Jackson and Roman Purcell, as well as two true freshmen after Sorsby and Williams were lost to the transfer portal.
Here’s a breakdown of Indiana’s quarterback room in 2024.
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Notable departures from the 2023 squad: Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Dexter Williams II (Georgia Southern), Broc Lowry (Western Michigan).
Quarterback room redesigned
Indiana’s 2024 roster includes three new quarterbacks: Rourke and rookies Tyler Cherry and Alberto Mendoza. Although Cignetti has not yet named a starter for Saturday’s season opener against Florida International, his comments during fall camp definitely lean toward Rourke.
“I thought Rourke had a good day and he separated himself pretty clearly in that scrimmage,” Cignetti said on Aug. 12. “…Overall, he played good football. There’s always room for improvement on this football team. He’s consistent and knows how to play quarterback.”
Rourke transferred to Indiana with one year of eligibility after appearing in 36 games over five seasons at Ohio University. The Bobcats went 16-6 in the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Rourke at quarterback.
In 2022, Rourke was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year after completing 224 of 353 passes (69.1%) for 3,256 yards, 25 touchdowns and four interceptions. If he can repeat those numbers in 2024 at Indiana, he would be fourth on the program’s all-time list in passing yardage, third in single-season passing touchdowns and first in single-season completion percentage.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Rourke a 92.0 grade for his 2022 offense, putting him tied with Houston quarterback Clayton Tune for first place among qualified quarterbacks nationally, ahead of future No. 1 picks in the NFL Draft Caleb Williams and Bryce Young.
Rourke’s numbers dropped a bit in 2023. He completed 195 of 307 pass attempts (63.5%) for 2,207 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, but was still named to the All-MAC second team. He ranked 41st nationally in PFF’s offensive rating (78.9) among qualified quarterbacks. Rourke is more of a pocket passer, but he is capable of making plays with his legs when needed. In his career at Ohio, he rushed for 832 yards and 11 touchdowns on 232 attempts.
Cherry and Mendoza likely won’t see the field as true freshmen unless they get injured, but there is reason for optimism going forward. Cherry is the second-best quarterback recruit in program history behind Donaven McCulley, who switched to wide receiver, and the fifth-best among all Indiana recruits. Cherry graduated from Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana, and was a four-star recruit who was ranked the No. 18 quarterback in the class of 2024 by 247Sports.
Mendoza comes to the Hoosiers from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where he was ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 138 quarterback in the class of 2024 by 247Sports.
Returning Hoosiers
Tayven Jackson is entering his second season at Indiana after beginning his career with a year at Tennessee. He was a highly touted prospect out of Center Grove High School, considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports and the 12th best quarterback in the nation.
He appeared in six games with five starts for the Hoosiers in 2023, completing 78 of 128 passes (60.9%) for 914 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. Jackson had opportunities to secure the starting job, but Indiana ultimately chose Sorsby for the final six games.
Jackson has shown flashes of ability under the new team, but Cignetti is hoping for more consistency and improved technique.
“Tayven is capable of making a wow game, but he needs to be more consistent in and out of the game, he needs to show more eye discipline and focus, keep his eyes on the field, make the right decisions, secure the football, not lose the ball, do the right footwork on the run game so we don’t have fumbles and things like that,” Cignetti said during fall camp.
Jackson was the second quarterback on the field for the spring game and will likely be the backup behind Rourke in Week 1. The only other returning quarterback is Roman Purcell, who did not appear in a game last season.
The conclusion
Rourke has a good chance of breaking into the top five of Indiana’s single-season passing records. A 3,000-yard season would do that, and he has done it in the past. To surpass Nate Sudfeld’s record, he needs 3,574 yards. Indiana’s best position is arguably wide receiver, so Rourke will have plenty of talented options to help him get there. Teammates and coaches have also noted Rourke’s leadership qualities, which are always important at the position.
The potential concerns with Rourke revolve around whether his strong play in the MAC will translate against tougher competition in the Big Ten and whether he can stay healthy. Indiana’s offensive line has struggled in recent seasons and already lost expected right guard Nick Kidwell to a season-ending injury. Rourke tore his ACL in Ohio’s 11th game of the 2022 season and suffered an injury in the 2023 season opener that sidelined him for the team’s second game. If Indiana can keep him upright, they could be in for a great season.
