The 2024 NFL Draft is here, making it an excellent time to highlight some of the class' best players with scouting reports. Each report will include strengths, weaknesses and background information.
Here's our report on Hunter Nourzad.
Hunter Nourzad'S 2024 NFL COMBINE RESULTS
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 317 lbs.
- 40-Time: DNP
- 10-Yard Split: DNP
- Vertical: DNP
- Broad Jump: DNP
- 3-Cone: DNP
- Shuttle: DNP
Hunter Nourzad 2024 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS:
- Size and strength shown in his ability to anchor and prevent consistent push in pass protection.
- Good athleticism displayed in space – good movement in run game to make blocks on edge and on second level.
- Solid quickness when pulling in the run game and when redirecting in pass protecting vs. quicker defenders.
- Recognizes stunts and blitzes to trade off defenders with different pressure schemes. Sees the front well.
- Strong punch/hands and long arms allow him to control defenders as a pass blocker when technique is sound.
- Good execution in combination blocks with helping teammates and then using quickness to get up to the second level.
- Comfortable in slide protection schemes where he can move laterally and engage blocks from an angle.
- Once engaged properly and with good technique (hands), he plays with good leverage to control defenders.
WEAKNESSES:
- Tendency to lean into or lunge at defenders as run blocker, causing him to get his weight out in front of his feet.
- Over commits to get off balance at the point of attack due to poor weight distribution (top heavy once engaged).
- Takes poor path and angles at times in run game, causing him to come off blocks, especially vs. active defenders.
- Most effective playing in space and with movement. Struggles when aggressive attack quickly after the snap.
- Questionable ability to anchor when attacked by strong bull rush, especially when defender aligned head up.
NFL TRANSITION:
Nourzad is a versatile Lineman who played two seasons at Cornell at RT, then transferred to Penn State for his last two seasons, playing guard and center. Size and athleticism combo correlates to him being an interior lineman in the NFL, with good appeal because of his ability to play gard and center.
Good athleticism and movement skills to make blocks on edge, as puller, and in space at the second and third levels of the defense (comfortable in outside run game and screen game). Over commits, causing him to lean into and lunge at defenders, resulting in poor balance and body control, which limits his ability to stay engaged as a run and pass blocker at times. When uncovered, does good job of trading off defensive stunts/blitzes by playing with good vision and understanding of concepts.
Overall, Nourzad’s versatility and athleticism make him a valuable piece to an NFL offense looking to add depth along its line. He likely will begin his career as a backup for multiple positions, with the chance to develop into a starter in a few with some improved technique and core stability to play more on balance.
OTHER NOTES:
Nourzad came out of Georgia as 3-star recruit and ranked 150th in the Nation across all positions (sixth-ranked at the interior OL positions.
Initially went to Cornell and played two seasons there. He was second-team All-American and first-team All-Ivy League his last year there while playing RT.
At Penn State, he played both RG in 2022, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and center in 2023, earning 2nd Team All-Big Ten. Good versatility playing OT, OG and Center in college.
Nourzad in 2022 played primarily LG with 545 total snaps, all of them but 38 snaps coming from LG (21 snaps at RG and 17 snaps a C). In 2023, he played all of his 769 snaps at center. Over the past two seasons, he has had 702 pass play snaps, allowing 14 pressures (seven each of the last two seasons) and amassed only one penalty over two seasons.
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