Incoming Penn State transfer Hunter Nourzad recaps why Lions won out

Penn State football landed arguably its top overall transfer portal prospect Monday in Cornell offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad. 

It’s been no secret that James Franklin and Phil Trautwein are searching for experience along the offensive front. They’ve pursued a handful of players in the portal this year, but Nourzad, an All-American last season, was the one they went all out for.

After entering the portal at the end of November, Nourzad totaled 15 offers from schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision. By the beginning of January, he was focused on five: Penn State, Auburn, Illinois, Iowa and Virginia Tech. His decision came down to the three Big Ten programs. 

“It was a hard decision when it came down to the end, going between those schools. Those were my final three and they all had something to offer,” Nourzad said. “But also, just the whole process, it was pretty grueling. I didn’t expect it to be so mentally taxing, especially at my age and trying to finish up school and get my degree. I think it’s a little different between high schoolers and grad students. 

“But it came down to Iowa, Illinois and Penn State. I would say it was all my decision in the end. In high school, your parents are more involved. They have more insight because you’re 17 or 18. When I decided to enter the portal, I told myself that this is all on me. I listened to my parents when they had stuff to provide, but they didn’t try to sway me. So, it kind of just came down to me and at the end of the day, it felt right with Penn State. In my head, I felt that if I ended up going to a different school, I might regret not going to Penn State.”

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Nourzad developed a relationship with Trautwein almost immediately after picking up the offer, which came on Dec. 10. That went to a different level in January, when Penn State visited with him and his family twice at their home in Georgia. The first week saw the entire offensive coaching staff make a trip to his home, along with Franklin. The following week, Trautwein flew across the country, from Seattle, Wash., after visiting with another Nittany Lion, Vega Ioane, to visit with him Nourzad on Jan. 25.

By then, Nourzad had already taken his official visit to Penn State, too, which took place Jan. 22-23. 

“There were probably one or two big reasons with Penn State,” Nourzad said. “I love Trautwein and I think he’s a great guy. I have a lot of respect for him, although I have a lot of respect for the Iowa and Illinois staff as well. They’re all great people at both of those schools, too, from what I could tell during the process. But I think one of the big things was that I felt really comfortable around Coach Traut. 

“But also, Penn State kind of has a blueprint for what I’m trying to do with them. Last year, with Eric Wilson, they took an Ivy League guy who played inside, and from May to August, which is my same timeline, they developed him enough to start some games. So, that was one of the biggest draws for me. They’ve done what I’m trying to do.”

In addition to learning more about how Penn State used Wilson this past season, Nourzad said he spent much of his time getting to know the current players at Penn State during his official visit. 

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“My two hosts were Juice [Scruggs] and Sean [Clifford],” he said. “I got along pretty well with Juice. I felt like we have pretty similar personalities. We’re both pretty laid-back, just keep your nose down and work.

“I also got to go to lunch with the entire offensive line, which was super cool. You kind of have to meet everyone to know how you fit. I fit in just fine, I think. Or at least, I thought that. But yeah, I got along super well with everyone. My hosts were great, the coaches were great. It was a great visit overall.”

Listed at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Nourzad played 20 consecutive games at right tackle for Cornell. Statistically, he was second in the Ivy League for the fewest tackles for loss allowed in 2021, while finishing 16th nationally at the Football Championship Subdivision. 

Despite the need at tackle, that won’t be where Nourzad plays at Penn State. One of the main reasons he’s making this move is to raise his stock in the eyes of NFL scouts. Those scouts project him as either a guard or center at the pro level.

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“I think that I was probably playing out of position the last couple of years,” he said. “Not that I wasn’t doing a good job or didn’t want to play there. I wanted to help the team and be there for the guys, but I know that I’m projected to play guard or center at the next level.

“So, one of the biggest reasons I’m making this move is to try and get experience at guard or center. I think that’s just where my body fits the best, both at a higher level of college football and in the NFL.”

Nourzad has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Whether he uses both years will obviously depend on how he performs in 2022.

As for when he’ll arrive, Cornell ends classes on May 10, with final exams scheduled for May 14-21. Penn State’s summer session I begins on May 16, so Nourzad should be with the team sometime in the third week of May.