42 DAYS TO KICKOFF: Devon Nash

#42 Devon Nash True Junior 6-5 | 264 Lincoln, Neb. Bio

Position: Defensive End Previous College: Iowa Western Community College Projection: Second-String Status: On Scholarship

Devon Nash played linebacker at Lincoln East High School and apparently grew up a Cornhuskers fan, so it's surprising that Nebraska never recruited him. The only way this could be any sweeter is if we still played them.

He attended junior college at Iowa Western Community College — just across the river from Omaha, really — and he helped IWCC to win its first-ever NJCAA national championship in 2012 as a starting defensive end.

Nash earned first-team All-American honors as a defensive lineman and was a Midwest Football Conference first-team all-conference pick as a sophomore. You can watch some of his JUCO highlights here.

He was ranked as the 53rd-best community college player in the nation by Rivals.com. Nash tallied 36 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and one interception for a touchdown during his second season at IWCC.

He was named an honorable mention Region XI honoree as a freshman in 2011 after he recorded 45 tackles and six sacks that season. Along with Travis Green, he helped to get going the momentum that brought us Jake Waters.

Nash struggled a little in the spring game, playing for the White team and amassing just one tackle, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a sack in somewhat limited minutes. But just being here for spring ball was a plus.

I haven't given up on him at all, mostly because he has a special place in my heart for his crack at Nebraska's expense during his commitment press conference: "I guess I don't have a comment on Nebraska." Classic.

By taking Meshak Williams' No. 42, Nash has extremely big shoes to fill. Although I think Marquel Bryant and Ryan Mueller have the inside track to start at defensive end, Nash will be in the mix and likely end up in the two-deep.