Nathan Rourke agrees to contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars

Following a breakout CFL campaign behind centre for the BC Lions, Nathan Rourke is taking his talents to Duval County next season, officially agreeing on a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 24-year-old Victoria native had a year remaining on his deal with the Leos but was also eligible to sign a future contract per the CFL's NFL window.

Rourke announced the news on his Twitter account on Sunday.

Chosen as the 15th selection by the BC Lions in the 2020 CFL Draft, Rourke set the league on fire in 2022, completing a league-best 78.7% of his throws for 3,349 yards, along with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Those stats could have been even more impressive had he not hurt his foot, missing 10 regular season encounters due to a Lisfranc injury.

He returned for the playoffs, helping the Lions advance to the West Final, where they were eliminated in a close encounter versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, ultimately losing 28-20.

Before his injury, he was the frontrunner for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player but was still named the Most Outstanding Canadian at the annual league awards.

After a remarkable campaign, Rourke generated plenty of interest from the NFL, working out with 12 teams.

Those clubs included the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.

He is the first CFL QB to sign with an NFL team since Grey Cup-winning pivot Chris Strevler joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 following the Blue Bombers' victory in the 107th Grey Cup.

Strevler is currently on the depth chart with the New York Jets.

In college, Rourke captured the Jon Cornish Trophy twice as the top Canadian in NCAA football, though he was not selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.

He helped the Ohio Bobcats capture the 2017 Bahamas Bowl then he Frisco Bowl a year later and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2020.