As players start to think about whether or not they are coming back to Penn State next year, offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad has announced that he will be using his final year of eligibility to return to Penn State.

“I am thankful for all the people in my life who have played a part in this journey,” Nourzad said in a statement. “My work here isn’t done, and I look forward to returning to work alongside my brothers.”

Nourzad joined Penn State this past offseason as a graduate transfer from Cornell with two remaining years of eligibility. So far this season, he has appeared in seven games, starting four, as a guard or center.

Following his performance against Auburn in the third week of the season, Nourzad was named the coaching staff’s Offensive Player of the Game. In this past week’s game against Indiana, Nourzad suffered an injury that temporarily took him out of the game.

With this possibly being Juice Scruggs’ final season at center for the Nittany Lions, Nourzad could be poised to take over that position for Penn State next season.