Penn State Football: 3 most impactful newcomers for 2022 season

3. Hunter Nourzad, OL

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of Penn State’s 2021 season knows the offensive woes were mainly due to a lack of rushing attack. It’s also no secret the poor performance in the run game was a direct correlation of poor offensive line play.

Outside returning starters Juice Scruggs and Caedan Wallace, there is not a ton of game experience among the front five. To help with the depth, Penn State picked up Cornell transfer Hunter Nourzad.

The Ivy League canceled their 2020 season due to Covid, but Nourzad had two years of playing time and 20 starts for Big Red. He was Ivy League second-team selection in 2019 and a first-team selection last season. He was even named Phil Steele’s Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year.

With Cornell, Nourzad shifted along the line at both tackle positions and also played some at center. With the Lions, he looks to play one of the guard positions though. He is certainly versatile enough to play where the offensive line coach Phil Trautwein will need him the most.

Penn State let up 34 sacks a year ago. Anchored by Nourzad, Cornell only allowed a team-best nine sacks. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, his big frame and solid footwork should help the Nittany Lions improve in the trenches this fall.