Steelers Hosting Penn State OL

At the beginning of Nourzad’s first season at Penn State, he didn’t start but got a decent amount of playing time, getting what coach James Franklin calls “starter reps.”

Nourzad was at the 2024 NFL Combine, but did not do any testing or drills there or at his pro day at Penn State because of a stress reaction in his fibula. He said at his pro day that he hoped to be able to hold a private workout closer to the draft.

Nourzad started for two seasons at the FCS level, playing mostly tackle. After transferring to Penn State, Nourzad played one season at left guard before moving to center ahead of the 2023 season. He started all 13 games, and didn’t allow a single sack while helping running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton to a combined 1,654 yards rushing.

Nourzad is a player whose draft stock has come on late in the process. The Penn State lineman was considering a likely UDFA before February, when his average position on NFL Mock Draft Database started to spike. Nourzad is now considered to be a mid-Day Three pick, with an average selection of No. 167, toward the end of the fifth round. If the Steelers want to take him, they’ll be hoping Nourzad will fall to the sixth round, where the Steelers pick at No. 178 and No. 195.