Steven M. Sipple: Duval has Husker big boys in trenches feeling primed for position battles

Peyton Newell, here practicing in March 2016, is making a push to be the starting nose tackle.

In honor of Patrick Reed — what a steely triumph Sunday at Augusta — let's go with a big-boy Nebraska football theme.

Peyton Newell, a fifth-year senior Nebraska defensive lineman with only two career tackles, is making a push this spring to be the starting nose tackle, his bid aided by Zach Duval's strength and conditioning program, which continues to elicit raves from players.

Meanwhile, fellow senior Cole Conrad, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound walk-on from Fremont, once again finds himself in a battle for the starting center job.