Penn State lineman Hunter Nourzad to return to the Nittany Lions for 2023 season
Penn State football received a big boost for the 2023 season on Tuesday before the 2022 season even ends. Offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad announced on social media that he will return to the Nittany Lions next fall.
“I am grateful to be surrounded every day by a group of people who are hardworking, passionate and leaders in the community,” Nourzad wrote. “The coaches, staff and my teammates have helped push me to be a better athlete, student, and man.
“After careful thought and consideration with my family and coaches, I have decided to take advantage of my extra year of eligibility and return for my final season at Penn State in 2023. I am thankful for all the people in my life who have played a part in this journey. My work here isn’t done, and I look forward to returning to work alongside my brothers.”
As Blue-White Illustrated first reported in September, this was always a possibility if not the most likely outcome. Nourzad came to Penn State this past offseason from Cornell. He was hoping to make an immediate impact and has, first as part of a rotation at guard and now as a solo starter since an injury has sidelined Landon Tengwall for a handful of weeks.
All told, this announcement came much earlier than expected and is a major win for Penn State, which continues to try and build up its offensive line depth for next season and beyond.
Assessing the impact of Nourzad returning to Penn State
A talented tackle in the Ivy League, Nourzad moved inside when he arrived at Penn State. He has started to work at center during practice but has drilled and played almost primarily at guard. However, the versatility shown so far means he could fill either spot next season depending on what current snapper Juice Scruggs, who is eligible to leave for the NFL Draft if he so chooses, does.
“It was definitely an adjustment,” Nourzad said earlier this year. “I think it was a bigger adjustment than I was expecting,” Nourzad said Tuesday afternoon. “The tools that Coach [Phil] Trautwein and all the other coaches provided for me in camp got me ready for it.
“Everything happens really fast and way quicker. And obviously, you’re dealing with bigger guys in general. And also, you’re moving up to Big Ten from an FCS conference. So that was a challenge. But the coaching staff did a really great job throughout camp, getting me ready and adjusting me. I think it’s gone well.”
This decision does set Penn State up with a path to return all of its offensive linemen from the 2022 team. Olu Fashanu could leave, however, now that many are calling him a first-round pick. However, we don’t know how the current injury issue he’s dealing with might impact those plans. It’s also unclear whether Caedan Wallace will be back for another year or not.
Regardless of how all of that shakes out, this is big news for Penn State as it continues setting a foundation for next season while wrapping up the current one.
