For Nebraska junior running back Mekhi Nelson, his life priorities changed in September when he became a dad.

Sure, football remains important in Nelson’s life, but as any parent knows, life is different when it’s your family, your flesh and blood.

“It means everything to me,” Nelson said at a news conference Tuesday leading into Saturday night’s key game against Washington (7 o'clock CT, Big Ten Network).

“I was getting told by everybody on the staff who is a father there’s nothing like it.

“But you don’t know that feeling until you actually have your own. You’re holding him and you see your face on a baby and it’s the best thing in the world.

“Words can’t even describe it. Even while my girl was still carrying him, I felt like my mentality changed.

“I’m not just playing football for me now. I'm playing it for my son. Like my son got to eat. So I go out every day with that on the front of my mind.…