Welcome to the NFL, Hunter Nourzad.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Penn State’s senior center Saturday in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
A second-team All-Big Ten selection and Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Nourzad did not allow a sack in his first full year at center. He played only 17 snaps there last year after playing 535 plays at left guard the season before.
Nourzad and defensive back Johnny Dixon were also awarded Penn State’s Tim Shaw Thrive Award for overcoming adversity and being an inspiration to their teammates.
Pro Football Focus graded Nourzad as the 111th-best player in the draft and reached a 74.4 overall grade last season, including 76.7 against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.
“Nourzad presents a well-rounded skill set and high-floor fundamentals for almost any offense, though he must get stronger to really garner a full-time starting role in the NFL,” PFF wrote on its 2024 NFL Draft big board.
Nourzad helped the Nittany Lions finish 21-5 over the past two seasons with two New Year’s Six appearances and a victory over Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl.
