Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: C Hunter Nourzad, PSU

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Aidan Champion | Last updated 2/20/24

Where the Las Vegas Raiders decide to take a center in this year's NFL Draft will depend on if they are looking for a starter or not. If the club is in a position where it feels it has an idea about who will be their starter by the time the draft rolls around, they can afford to wait until Day 3 to find a prospect to add depth.

A great candidate would be Hunter Nourzad of Penn State. Nourzad was a 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team honoree, having moved from left guard to center for his final collegiate campaign.

Pro Football Focus gave Nourzad an overall grade of 74.4, a run-block grade of 77.0, and a zone grade of 79.0 for the 2023 season.

The season prior, Nourzad made eight starts in 11 games, playing most of his snaps at left guard. He was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in what was his first season with the program.

Nourzad transferred to Penn State from Cornell, where he spent four seasons. He started all 10 games at right tackle, leading an offensive line that finished fifth in the nation in sacks allowed per game (0.9) and set a program record with just nine sacks allowed all season. Nourzad was named to the All-Ivy League First Team and was awarded Phil Steele's Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year.

He was also named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America Second Team.

Cornell's 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nourzad started all 10 games at right tackle in the 2019 season and was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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