Penn State football strengthened its offensive line when lineman Hunter Nourzad announced he’s coming to James Franklin’s program as a graduate transfer.

Nourzad comes to Happy Valley with two years of eligibility remaining, since the Ivy League canceled its 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. He’s leaving Cornell, where he played two seasons.

The Georgia native started 20 consecutive games at right tackle and was a second-team AFCS All-American in 2021, becoming Cornell’s first All-American in 16 years. During the 2021 season, Nourzad anchored Cornell’s offensive line when it was perhaps the best in the Ivy League and ranked fifth nationally with 0.9 sacks allowed per game. The line also produced 121 rushing yards per game.

Nourzad was one of the most sought-after linemen in the transfer portal, receiving offers from Illinois, Iowa, Auburn, and Virginia Tech. He is scheduled to graduate Cornell in May.

The three-star lineman is Penn State’s second major pickup from the transfer portal, as former Western Kentucky wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions in December. This is also the second consecutive season where James Franklin picked up an offensive lineman from the transfer portal, with former Harvard guard Eric Wilson starting 11 games for the Nittany Lions during the 2021 season.