Georgia State will honor its senior football players at Saturday’s game against South Alabama.

One, Nick Nesmith, has endured many of the same things that his teammates have experienced to reach this point: the hundreds of film sessions, workouts and practices. But off the field he has gone through so much more than most. And his playing time, the carrot at the end of the stick, has consisted of a few snaps since he walked on to the team in 2009.

But Nesmith views his reward differently than others might.

“Main thing was, that made me stick with it, coach (Bill) Curry always talked about I was a good spiritual leader on the team,” Nesmith said. “I wanted to be a good influence on the team, to help people from a faith-based standpoint.”

Faith has carried Nesmith through the past five years.

Nesmith’s father, Glenn, was incarcerated for vehicular homicide in 2008. His parents separated before his dad went to prison, and his mom hasn’t been as involved with the family since. Glenn was released earlier this year.

With both parents unable to help, Nesmith was left to support himself and provide moral support and direction for his younger brother, Jacob. Nesmith was a senior in high school when Jacob was a freshman. Their dad was in prison. So, Nesmith would take his younger brother with him wherever he went.

Jacob said it was hard not having their dad, but appreciated the effort that Nick made to be there for him. Though he said he often didn’t want to listen, it was Nick and older sister Christi, who both Nick and Jacob said has been a role model, who convinced Jacob to stick with football. He earned a full scholarship to play football at Presbyterian.

“He does everything in his power to make my life easier,” Jacob said. “He’s very selfless.”

Nick still had to take care of himself.

Because he was a good student at Forsyth Central High School, the HOPE Scholarship provided some financial help. Because he was living on his own, away from his parents, he also received a full Pell Grant. His grandparents and Christi, who graduated from Georgia Tech by using a HOPE Scholarship, also helped him financially.

Still, he wasn’t on scholarship and needed to pay for room and board. So, in addition to football, and in addition to being a student, and in addition to being a big brother, Nesmith worked part-time jobs as a cook at Waffle House, than as a server at Pappadeaux’s and later at a local condominium complex near campus. Instead of getting to spend his last few years enjoying freedom before adult responsibilities begin, Nesmith estimates he spends 70 hours a week between his jobs, football and being a student.

“It doesn’t leave a lot of time for personal life,” he said.

Despite all of the challenges, Nesmith said he never felt pressure. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to see what he was made of. It’s the same feeling he gets on the practice field as he tries to make sure he doesn’t let the man next to him down.

“Shows how tough people are, to handle that,” coach Trent Miles said. “It hasn’t affected him. He has a strong mind and strong faith.”

The work ethic was born of his dad’s teaching. Glenn Nesmith began taking Nick on construction jobs when he was 4 years old. He would tell his three children that he didn’t care if they made good grades, but he preferred it because he wanted them to have a better life.

“That was a real-world example of the more work you put in the better off we will be,” Nick Nesmith said.

He has a 3.4 GPA and will graduate in December with a major in religious studies and minor in non-profit leadership. He is considering law school or graduate school because “he wants to facilitate socio-economic change in the U.S.” He is the president of the GSU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and he assists the football team’s chaplain, Andrew Provence, with weekly study groups. Provence said he contacts Nesmith once a week soliciting advice about the prayer group.

“His faith is something he takes seriously,” Provence said. “I don’t think I could have done this as easily as I have without Nick’s help.”

Nesmith didn’t turn to faith because he was experiencing hardship, as some do. He grew up in various churches in North Georgia and was baptized when he was 8 years old. He said he eventually found a spiritual home and fellowship in Alpharetta-based North Point Ministries. He now categorizes himself as a disciple of Jesus when asked what church he attends. He prefers that simpler title because he said the more accurate answer can be complicated.

But when his father went to prison, Nesmith said he rededicated himself to his beliefs and his community in Cumming.

Because of everything going on in his life, Nesmith never was able to devote himself to doing the extra work needed to succeed in football. He weighs less than every other lineman on the roster, which has limited his playing time.

He got into a few snaps on special teams in a game earlier this year, and played again in last week’s loss at Arkansas State. Still, it was just a few plays more than number of years he has been in the program.

But Nesmith is excited about Saturday.

Because he rarely played, and because of his parents’ situations, Nesmith said he grew used to looking up in the stands and usually not having anyone there. His mom has made it to a few games. So has Christi.

That won’t be the case Saturday. Jacob will be there, as will Christi and Nesmith’s best friend, James Manton, whose family has provided Nesmith with moral support, a few meals and a place to stay during the summer. Nesmith’s father also will be at the game, one of several he has attended this season.

Nick moved in with him for the fall semester, making the drive from his dad’s home in Cumming to campus most days. Nick made that choice because he said he is trying to make up for lost time. His father also eased the financial burden that Nick has carried the previous years.

It will be Nesmith’s last football game. He said he will miss it, but his faith and his experiences have prepared him for whatever is next.

“I have an idea I can do anything I want after taking on those tasks,” Nesmith said. “I feel like I can accomplish anything I want.”