Hunter Lee Nourzad is an American professional football center for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 26, 2000, in Marietta, Georgia, he played college football for the Cornell Big Red and Penn State Nittany Lions. He was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 159th overall pick.
Hunter Lee Nourzad Bio
Nourzad grew up in Marietta, Georgia, and attended The Walker School where he served as football team captain twice. He also competed for the lacrosse and track and field teams at the school. In football, he won all-region honors in shot put and was all-state, a three-time all-region honoree and the regional lineman of the year. Despite his high school accomplishments, Nourzad received little attention as a college recruit and committed to play at Cornell as an FCS unranked prospect. He is of Iranian descent through his father.
Early Life and Background
Nourzad attended The Walker School in Marietta, Georgia, where he excelled in multiple sports. He served as the football team captain twice during his high school career and dominated in three different sports. On the football field, he earned all-state honors, was a three-time all-region honoree, and received regional lineman of the year recognition. His athletic ability extended beyond football, as he won all-region honors in shot put while also competing in lacrosse and track and field.
Despite his multi-sport success, Nourzad received limited recruiting attention from major college programs. He chose to continue his football career at the Football Championship Subdivision level, committing to play for the Cornell Big Red as an unranked prospect.
Path to American Football
Nourzad began his college career at Cornell University in 2018. He did not see any playing time during his first season with the Big Red. The following year, he earned a starting role at right tackle and was named second-team All-Ivy League. After the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nourzad returned in 2021 for a breakthrough campaign that would establish him as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference.
During the 2021 season, Nourzad started all 10 games and helped Cornell rank fifth nationally for fewest quarterback sacks allowed per game. He was selected first-team All-Ivy League, earned Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, and was named second-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association. His performance attracted attention from Power Five programs, leading him to transfer to Penn State for his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility.
Hunter Lee Nourzad Career
College Career at Cornell (2018–2021)
Nourzad spent his first four seasons at Cornell University developing as an offensive lineman. After a redshirt season in 2018, he became a starter at right tackle in 2019 and earned second-team All-Ivy League recognition. The 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic, but Nourzad returned stronger than before in 2021.
His 2021 campaign represented his most dominant season at Cornell. Starting all 10 games at offensive tackle, he helped the Big Red achieve the fifth-lowest sacks allowed per game in the nation. He earned first-team All-Ivy League honors, was named Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year by Phil Steele, and received second-team All-America recognition from the AFCA.
College Career at Penn State (2022–2023)
Nourzad transferred to Penn State University in 2022, moving from tackle to guard to compete in the Big Ten Conference. He appeared in 11 games with eight starts during his first season in State College and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten.
For his final collegiate season in 2023, Nourzad made another position change, shifting from guard to center. His versatility and consistency earned him second-team All-Big Ten recognition. Following the season, he participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl and attended the NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing his abilities to professional scouts.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024–Present)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Nourzad in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 159th overall pick. He joined an organization known for developing offensive line talent and competing for championships. As a rookie, he appeared in 18 games with one start at center, gaining valuable experience in the Chiefs’ offensive system.
His journey from an unranked high school recruit to NFL Draft pick demonstrated his dedication and steady improvement throughout his college career. With the Chiefs’ strong reputation for developing offensive linemen, Nourzad has the opportunity to continue refining his technique while competing for a larger role on the roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nourzad possesses the size and length ideal for the center position at 6 feet 3 inches and 317 pounds. His footwork and balance allow him to handle defensive tackles in both the running and passing game. Throughout his college career, his ability to diagnose defenses pre-snap and communicate blocking assignments made him a reliable leader on the offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most significant milestone came at Cornell in 2021 when he earned Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year honors while allowing zero sacks across 10 starts. His progression through multiple position changes, from right tackle to guard to center, showcased his adaptability and football intelligence.
Hunter Lee Nourzad Career Wins
Nourzad accumulated notable accolades during his collegiate career spanning two programs and five seasons. His college honors represent his most significant verified accomplishments to date.
College Highlights
At Cornell, Nourzad established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the Ivy League. His 2021 season stands out as his most impressive, earning him Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, first-team All-Ivy League, and second-team All-American recognition by the AFCA. He also earned second-team All-Ivy League honors in 2019. At Penn State, he continued his success with honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2022 and second-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023. He participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine following his senior season.
Other Achievements
Beyond his conference honors, Nourzad demonstrated consistent excellence across multiple programs and competition levels. His ability to start games at multiple positions, including right tackle, guard, and center, highlighted his versatility. He helped his teams maintain strong pass protection metrics throughout his career.
Hunter Lee Nourzad Family
Family Background and Heritage
Nourzad is of Iranian descent through his father, representing a notable aspect of his background as he continues his professional football career.
Personal Life
Limited verified personal life information is publicly available for Nourzad at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Nourzad enters the 2025 season with the Kansas City Chiefs in his second professional year. After appearing in 18 games with one start during his rookie season, he aims to establish himself as a more consistent contributor on the Chiefs’ offensive line. The Chiefs’ coaching staff will continue evaluating his development at the center position as they build their roster for another championship run.
His experience from 2024 should provide him with greater comfort in the team’s offensive scheme and terminology. As he continues to develop physically and technically, Nourzad has the opportunity to compete for increased playing time and potentially more starts at the center position. The Chiefs’ offensive line rotation will likely incorporate him based on his performance during training camp and the preseason.