There’s completely not a quarterback controversy down in Jacksonville, as Trevor Lawrence is entrenched because the group’s beginning quarterback following the Jaguars’ run to the playoffs a season in the past.
Nonetheless, there is perhaps a battle underway for the QB2 spot behind Lawrence, between C.J. Beathard and Nathan Rourke. And if this unimaginable landing go from Rourke on Saturday evening is any indication, the previous CFL star is perhaps in fine condition in that struggle.
With the Jaguars going through third and 16 late within the sport, Rourke dropped again to throw. However inside seconds, the pocket was collapsing round him. Irrespective of, because the QB manages to shrug off a number of would-be sacks earlier than discovering an open receiver downfield. As Rourke crashes to the AT&T Stadium turf with a defender draped round his legs, he has sufficient velocity to attach with working again Qadree Ollison for the landing:
The replay angle of the throw is actually price one other look:
Then there’s the field-level replay shared by the NFL’s social media group, together with an unimaginable comparability:
Rourke is an enchanting story. Born in British Columbia, he discovered his approach to Ohio College after a yr at Fort Collins Group School. Rourke was a three-year starter for the Bobcats, main them to three-straight bowl wins.
He was a second-round draft choose, however not within the NFL Draft. Rourke was picked within the second spherical by the BC Lions within the 2020 CFL Draft, changing into the highest-drafted Canadian quarterback within the CFL Draft since Jordan Palmer again in 2001. When the CFL season was canceled as a result of Covid-19, he tried out as a large receiver with the New York Giants.
When that didn’t materialize in a roster spot, he returned to the CFL and the Lions. He performed two seasons within the CFL, and final yr he led the league in quite a few passing classes and set a brand new league mark with a 78.7% completion charge. Regardless of lacking an excellent portion of the season with a foot harm, he was named the CFL’s Most Excellent Canadian.
A lot of NFL groups provided him exercises following his 2022 CFL marketing campaign, and he signed a three-year cope with Jacksonville in January.
And on Saturday evening, he may need delivered the play of all the NFL preseason.
