Photos: Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Matt Nelson

Northwestern's Clayton Thorson (18) passes while Iowa's Parker Hesse (40) Matt Nelson (96) and Sam Brincks (90) attempt to break into the pocket during a Big Ten Conference football game on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson (96) celebrates after sacking Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) during the Cy-Hawk NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Minnesota running back Shannon Brooks (23) runs out of reach of Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson (96) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Minneapolis.

Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson, here hitting Stanford's Bryce Love in the Rose Bowl, got more playing time toward the end of the 2015 season when Nate Meier was banged up.

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) looks to pass as Iowa's Matt Nelson (96) applies pressure during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) has his pass knocked down by Iowa's Matt Nelson (96) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson (96) celebrates after sacking Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) while Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson (98) stands by during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File)

Iowa right tackle Matt Nelson sacks Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt in the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson (96) sacks Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) during the Cy-Hawk NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Iowa right tackle Matt Nelson sacks Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt in the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Iowa's Garret Jansen, from left, Anthony Nelson, A.J. Epenesa, Matt Nelson and Austin Schulte stand for the national anthem before the Hawkeyes' game against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium on Satuday, Sept. 1, 2018.

Iowa left tackle Matt Nelson tackles Boston College running back AJ Dillon during the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.

Iowa's Anthony Nelson (98) and Matt Nelson (96) team up to stop Boston College running back AJ Dillon during the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) is congratulated by defensive end Matt Nelson (96) after returning an interception for a touchdown on the first play of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa's Nathan Bazata, left, and Matt Nelson tackle North Texas' Jeffery Wilson during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017.

Matt Nelson, wrapping up a Nebraska ballcarrier last fall, is sitting out of spring practices for Iowa with a right foot injury. He is being looked at as somebody who could play both defensive end and defensive tackle.

Nebraska's Tre Bryant gets tackled by Iowa's Matt Nelson during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016.

Matt Nelson led a young trio of Iowa defensive ends with 42 tackles this year, and you'll be seeing his No. 96 for two more seasons. But will he move inside to defensive tackle?

Iowa's Matt Nelson tackles Nebraska's Tre Bryant during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016.

Iowa's Matt Nelson tackles Nebraska's Tre Bryant during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016.

Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson has been a mainstay all season, and now must try to contain elusive Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley.

Minnesota running back Shannon Brooks (23) runs out of reach of Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson (96) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Iowa State quarterback Joel Lanning (7) is sacked by Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson (96) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Parker Hesse, flanked by fellow Iowa defensive ends Matt Nelson (left) and Anthony Nelson, is ready to see how much pressure they can apply to opposing quarterbacks. They'll get their first chance next Saturday, against Miami of Ohio.

Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson hits Stanford Bryce Love on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.