The San Francisco 49ers are taking a shot that history repeats itself.
Just like when they drafted Brock Purdy with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, they aren't expecting a franchise savior at the quarterback position.
But on Saturday, they drafted another seventh-round QB from a school in the Midwest.
This time, it's Indiana's Kurtis Rourke, who began his college career at Ohio University before finishing in Bloomington.
Purdy is likely the 49ers' long-term QB. He's likely going to get a nine-figure contract.
But if something falls through there, San Francisco can try to replace him with a very similar player pedigree.
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Rourke enrolled in Ohio ahead of 2019 and spent five seasons on campus with the Bobcats. By the latter stages at OU, Rourke was the top quarterback in the MAC.
That earned him a chance at Indiana for the 2024 season, and he shined.
Rourke completed 69.4 percent of his passes for the Hoosiers with 29 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
He doesn't have immense tools, but like Purdy, he was always productive when given the chance.
Rourke would be a successful pick if he's a long-term solid backup.
But once in a while, as Purdy shows, a late-round QB can be more.
Rourke did a lot of TD throwing and a lot of winning in his college career.
The 49ers may have just found their next Brock Purdy.
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