THIBODAUX — Sidelined by injury after a monumental athletic career at St. Charles Catholic, Lloyd Nash III turned his freshman season on the Nicholls State Colonels football team into a learning experience.

“It was kind of tough at first to go from doing it all at St. Charles to being a newcomer in the program,” said Nash, who underwent surgery in June 2018 to repair meniscus damage in his left knee sustained last spring during baseball playoffs.

While Nash got a clean bill of health in October, Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe told him it was best not to push it.

Nash spent the remainder of the season practicing in new positions and soaking up the fast-paced football atmosphere and infectious excitement.

“Sitting back and watching was tough at first, but I put that aside and realized I’m here for a reason,” Nash said. “I can take time to get stronger, learn the playbook and focus on the mental part of the game, not just the physical part.”

He’s working hard to get on the field next season and continue the work he put in at SCC, where he compiled 1,100 yards rushing with nine touchdowns, passed for 732 yards and four touchdowns and recorded 45 tackles his junior year. Nash was also a baseball star who made semifinal appearances, batted above .400 and went 37-for-37 in stolen bases.

Football and baseball are of equal importance to Nash, who found a love for both as a young child practicing with his grandfather.

Though injury kept him off the football field, he’s gunning for a starting baseball position at Nicholls this Spring to help the Colonels recover from an injured outfielder.

During winter break, Nash has alternated between working with his grandfather and hitting in the batting cages.

SCC baseball coach Wayne Stein said Nash is a gifted player and truly stood out because he never lost sight of his team.

“He started as a freshman, and he had every reason to be arrogant, but he wasn’t,” Stein said.

“He never let any accolades overshadow the team. He was a loyal player who always represented his family and school well.”

Nash said adding baseball to his schedule is a challenge he’s ready to take without losing sight of his football aspirations.

Which position he’ll play next season is up in the air. He’s focused on defensive back and free safety and has also trained at wide receiver.

“I do like the free safety position, but I also think I could fit well in a receiver role at Nicholls,” Nash said. “I like the ball in my hands, but anything that leads me to playing time on the field is what I’m going to do to help the team.”

The team bond is just as strong at Nicholls as it was in high school, Nash said, and every win in 2018 brought larger crowds to the stadium.

Fans had plenty to celebrate as the Colonels finished 9-4 and went 7-2 in the Southland Conference to win a share of the league’s title and collected their first postseason win since 1986.

The season ended with a loss to Eastern Washington in the second round of the playoffs, but Nash will never forget how the football season changed the atmosphere of Thibodaux.

“I felt love and support from Thibodaux and surrounding areas when I dressed out for the last regular season game against Southeastern and got to run through the tunnel,” Nash said. “From the teachers to people in the grocery store, everyone was in a good mood when we were winning.”

SCC coach Frank Monica said Nash is going places, whether he finds a role as a wide receiver, defensive back or even a college quarterback.

“Lloyd was one of the most versatile and savvy players I’ve had at SCC,” Monica said.

“The guy is a winner. Guys like that don’t come around but once every 10 or 20 years.”