SAN JOSE >> It was one last hurrah for Nick Nash on his home field, where he became one of the most prolific receivers in the history of San Jose State football.

Nash went through the paces on his pro day last month with some of his Spartans teammates, catching everything thrown his way as usual.

“One last time for us to get together,” Nash said.

As a senior, Nash won the NCAA’s triple crown, leading the nation in receptions (104), yards (1,382) and touchdowns (16). So it’s clear Nash can do the three things that are most important in the NFL — get open, catch the ball and score touchdowns.

If only it were that simple.

When the NFL Draft begins with the first round Thursday, Nash’s phone will be silent. Barring a major surprise, it will remain that way on Friday through the second and third rounds. Finally on Day 3, Nash will receive the call that he hopes will change his life anywhere from the fourth through seventh rounds.

Twenty-six teams showed up to see Nash and some of his college teammates work out at CEFCU Stadium last month. Nash knows the draft process is ultra-critical, and he plans on being patient.

“It’s politics. It’s how it works,” Nash said after his workout. “I’m not really worried about the outside noise. I’m just trying to focus on myself and showing I belong at the next level.”

Nash sat out the Spartans’ 41-39 loss to South Florida in the Hawaii Bowl to get a jump on the NFL Scouting Combine. He trained at Bommarito Performance in Miami to enhance physical attributes other than being able to exploit holes in a defense and convert first downs.

“Got me where I needed to be,” Nash said.

Nash’s 40-yard dash time was an adequate 4.57 with a 34-inch vertical leap and a 10 foot, 3 inch broad jump. He measured at just over 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds. It won’t be enough for a first-round draft day call like previous triple-crown winners DeVonta Smith of Alabama (No. 10 overall to Philadelphia in 2020) or Michael Crabtree (No. 10 to the 49ers in 2009).

A fourth triple-crown winner, Jerreth Sterns of Western Kentucky, never did get drafted in 2021 after catching 150 passes for 1,902 yards and 17 touchdowns. He signed as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay, didn’t stick, had a cup of coffee on the Rams practice squad, and is now property of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

Nash just wants a chance, and he knows what NFL teams are looking for. He’s been invited to the 49ers’ local Pro Day on April 9. The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk isn’t expected to play until the season is underway after a torn ACL.

“I think getting off press coverage is going to be the biggest thing,” Nash said. “From the coaches that I’ve talked to, that’s the biggest transition for all receivers. I can do it, but it’s obviously something I still have to work on.”

Now that the measuring and timing of the combine is done, Nash believes he can sell an NFL team an obvious truth — that nothing matters more for a wide receiver than finding open areas, securing the ball and getting in the end zone.

Nash came to San Jose State as a quarterback before moving to receiver in 2022. So he understands route concepts and how things work in the passing game.