‘Where I always wanted to be:’ Nesbitt enjoying final season

Playing for the University of Regina Rams is in Danny Nesbitt’s blood.

“My dad played on the Rams, my uncle played on the Rams, my brother was on the Rams when I was growing up,” he said. “This is where I always wanted to be.”

The fifth-year linebacker from Regina, who played high school football at LeBoldus, was one of just four players in 2014 to transition straight into U Sports football with the Rams. Two years later, he was named a Canada-West all-star.

Nesbitt said he put a lot of pressure on himself to live up to the accomplishments of his family. His brother, Mat, was named the CIS Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

“That’s always kind of been a shadow over me, but I just try to do the best I can out here and I think I’m starting to make a name for myself,” Nesbitt said.

Right now, Nesbitt is preparing for his final stretch of games in U Sports.

“It kind of just sneaks up on you,” he said.

“Just realizing we’re already halfway through the regular season in my last year, feels like yesterday I was just coming in as a freshman.”

He added his main focus this year is helping younger athletes on the team.

“That’s kind of all I ever wanted growing up was to be the guy for the Regina Rams and I’m starting to do that,” Nesbitt said.

“I just kind of learn from the guys before me and teach the young guys what they thought me.”

Nesbitt was one of the core group of players who went through tumultuous times with the team, seeing three different head coaches in a three-year span.

Current head coach Stephen Bryce said that can weigh a lot on the players and make it difficult for them to buy into a new system for the second time.

“One thing it has made them is definitely resilient and a tight group of people,” said Bryce, who described Nesbitt as the key to the middle of their defence and a leader on the field.

“He’ll have guys under his wing and show them what to do and lead the way.”

Nesbitt said he doesn’t think the feeling of ending his Rams career is going to set in until the final whistle blows on his last game.

The Rams and Bisons meet Saturday at 1 p.m. with both teams coming into the game with 2-2 records.