Cornell Big Red NFL draftees turn dreams into reality

ITHACA (WBNG) -- Cornell Big Red Football had two former players drafted to the NFL last April: Hunter Nourzad and Jalyx Hunt.

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted linebacker Jalyx Hunt in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Two rounds later, the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs drafted offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad.

Hunt, who had transferred to Houston Christian after three years at Cornell, and Nourzad, who had transferred to Penn State after four years at Cornell, will both be joining championship-pedigree NFL teams. Cornell Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Jared Backus believes this will factor in well for the former Big Red.

“I’m sure each one of them will put in the time and the work ethic, second to none,” said Backus. “To do that, it’s going to be fun to watch them. I’m sure they’re going to have great careers.”

The pair marks the first duo with Cornell experience to be selected in the same draft class since the 1997 season when Seth Payne and Chad Levitt who were both selected in the fourth round. And the last Big Red to be drafted to the NFL: Center JC Tretter selected by the Green Bay Packers 11 years ago.

While Nourzad was at Cornell, he earned second-team AFCA and third-team Phil Steele All-American accolades, in addition to being voted second-team All-Big Ten at Penn State. Cornell Assistant and Defensive Line Coach Satyen Bhakta said Nourzad’s work ethic was a big component of his achievements.

“They’re getting a guy whose mentality is right,” said Bhakta. “He doesn’t get too high or too low, seeks improvement and he’s going to be around great football coaches to put him in position to succeed.”

Hunt transitioned from playing safety at Cornell to the linebacker position at Houston Christian where he was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned second-team FCS All-American honors. Backus thinks Hunt’s improvement throughout his college career will bode well for the Swiss-army-knife type of player.

“I’m sure he can be a defensive end in the four-man line,” said Backus. “And obviously play on an offensive tackle and rush the passer. He can do all the drop stuff that an outside linebacker does. I think his skill set is going to serve him very, very well in the NFL.”

Training camp has officially begun for both the back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.