KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The first Big Red to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2013 when JC Tretter was picked 122nd overall by Green Bay, Hunter Nourzad '22 becomes the latest Cornellian to get his chance to shine on Sundays after being named to the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man roster. Nourzad was pick 24 in the fifth round for the Chiefs. In the preseason, he spent time on the Chiefs' offensive line as a guard and center. Nourzad is expected to back up the starting center, Creed Humphrey, who is the National Football League's highest-paid center.

The 2022 graduate of the Big Red was a former two-time All-America offensive lineman, earning a third-team offensive line nod in the 2020 season and a second-team look in 2021, a year when he was the lone Ivy Leaguer to make the list. Nourzad was named an All-Ivy first-teamer and the Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year by Phil Steele in his final season with the Big Red. Since graduating, the Marietta, Ga., native finished his final two years of eligibility at Penn State, where he appeared in 24 games, including making 21 starts, most often at center. He helped the Nittany Lions to a 21-5 overall record including two New Year's Six bowl game appearances.

Nourzad and the Chiefs kick off the 2024 NFL regular season next Thursday, September 5, when the team hosts the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. Coverage begins at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.