Zack Nash still has the same goals on the football field as he did in high school. He still has the relentless urgeto hit the quarterback. He is still the same 250-pound freight train pushing his way through the offensive line.

The Sacramento State defensive end converted to this position after playing linebacker in high school. Nash said the evolution from linebacker to defensive end required whole new skills to play the position at the college level.

“It was a long transition from standing up to putting your hands in the dirt. It’s a whole different world – taking on blocks rather than making tackles,” Nash said. “The transition was pretty hard.”

In the first eight games this season, Nash leads the conference with five forced fumbles and eight sacks. He has also amassed 28 tackles, 10.5 of those for a loss of 54 yards.

The former linebacker and graduate of Vacaville High School is a two-time all-Monticello Empire League selection and all-metro honorable mention by the Sacramento Bee. And in the postseason, he was named to the all-Sac-Joaquin Section in his senior season.

In that season, the former Bulldog helped lead his team to the 2006 Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title, with a record of 14-1 overall. Nash led the team with 118 total tackles, including 70 solo tackles, eight sacks and one interception.

Nash said the Hornet coaching staff helped him make the transition to defensive end as he has been named Big Sky Conference honorable mention each of his two seasons with the team.

“Things we work on in practice have helped me succeed. The coaches give us the tools we need for each game,” Nash said. “Watching film of other teams and listening to the coaches have all helped.”

On Sept. 11, in the first home game, Nash sacked the Wolves’ quarterback for a total loss of 13 yards in the 31-17 win over Western Oregon University.

And again on Oct. 9. during the homecoming game with Northern Colorado University, he helped lead the team to a 42-7 win. Nash got to the Bears’ quarterback for a loss of 23 yards.

Hornet defensive line coach Jon Osterhout said Nash is a top-notch player.

“He is a stud. He is one of the best players I have ever coached,” Osterhout said. “I have been very fortunate to have two really solid guys this year.”

Osterhout said Nash is a student of the game and makes coaching the 6-foot-3 inch 250-pound defensive end that much easier.

“Immediately, my first impression of Zack was that he was very workman like. He absorbed everything and is extremely coachable,” Osterhout said. “He is the kind of guy where the application from the meeting room to the classroom has tremendous carryover. And when he steps on the football field he is a pleasure to coach because he is extremely physical, which helps us get to the quarterback.”

Hornet defensive tackle Christian Clark said competing with Nash is fantastic because he never gives up.

“It is great to play with him. I’ve been with him since he first arrived to the program,” Clark said. “It is nice to see the transformation from his first year to now and the player that he has become. Out on the field he helps to take some of pressure off of me because he is a legitimate threat every time the quarterback drops back.”

Clark said Nash has taken the front four of the defensive line and made it his own by becoming the general of the group.

“He is a great leader and has been more vocal this season. He has taken a strong hold of the defensive line,” Clark said. “He is the future of the line. It seems like he knows this and has taken it to heart.”

Nash is playing his third season under head coach Marshall Sperbeck. Sperbeck said the coaching staff recruited Nash for his agility.

“In high school, he was very fast and aggressive to the ball. We thought with his athleticism that he would be a natural defensive end,” Sperbeck said. “He has long levers. He is 6-foot-3 inches, 250 pounds and those are all good qualities we look for in a defensive end.”

Sperbeck said Nash has an excitement for playing football and is more than willing to share that excitement with other teammates.

“He is very passionate about playing and he wants other guys to have that same passion,” Sperbeck said. “He tries to bring guys along to play up to his level.”

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]