Cornell senior offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America second team to cap off a stellar career at right tackles for the Big Red. He becomes the first Big Red player to earn All-America honors from the organization since Kevin Boothe ’05 was a first-team pick in 2005.
A two-time All-Ivy League selection (first team in 2021, second team in 2019), Nourzad anchored an offensive line that led the Ivy League, ranked fifth nationally and set a school record for fewest sacks allowed with 0.9 per game. That total was three fewer than any other Ivy school. Nourzad started 20 consecutive games at right tackle, including all 10 in 2021. The Big Red averaged 121.7 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns on the ground despite not having one individual average more than 7.0 carries per game. As a sophomore, he opened all 10 contests and anchored a line that helped the offense increase its scoring average, total offense and rushing touchdowns from the previous season despite returning just one starter on the line. The line allowed one sack or less in five of the team’s seven Ivy games. Cornell did not play during his junior season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so Nourzad is expected to compete next season as a graduate transfer at another institution.
Nourzad was the lone Ivy League player chosen to the All-America team. He becomes the fifth player under head coach David Archer ’05 that earned All-America honors, joining quarterback Jeff Mathews, wide receiver Grant Gellatly, punter Chris Fraser and safety Nick Gesualdi.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].