Former Penn State football center Hunter Nourzad was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 159 overall in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nourzad became the second Penn State center selected in as many years after Juice Scruggs was drafted by the Texans in 2023.

The Georgia native transferred to Penn State from Cornell following the 2021 college football season. Nourzad appeared in 24 games for the Nittany Lions, totaling over 1,300 offensive snaps on the offensive line.

Nourzad has been tested at all five spots on the offensive line throughout his collegiate career, playing at both tackle spots at Cornell and playing at left and right guard during his first year in Happy Valley. During the 2023 season, Nourzad kicked inside and started all 13 games at center for the blue and white.

During his 2023 breakout campaign, Nourzad received second-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches and media and academic All-Big Ten honors. Additionally, he allowed zero sacks on 416 pass protection snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Not only does he provide position flexibility at the next level, but the 6’3,” 320-pounder offers NFL-ready traits with his strength and body control.

Nourzad would have been the second Nittany Lion on the championship-winning Chiefs’ offensive line, but tackle Donovan Smith became a free agent after the most recent season. Nourzad will instead join a Kansas City group trying to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.