Offensive tackles aren’t supposed to move like Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.
One of the most athletic, powerful blockers in the entire 2020 NFL draft class, Wirfs is a projected top-15 pick who dominated the NFL Scouting Combine after an incredible career with the Hawkeyes.
Wirfs recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about growing up in a small Iowa town, his unique journey to becoming a top football prospect, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: What can you tell me about Mount Vernon, Iowa?
TW: I think that Mount Vernon is a pretty special place. I was lucky to get to grow up there. It’s a small town and a tight-knit community. Everybody has your back. I played so different sports growing up. My buddies and I basically played everything. It allowed me to play sports all year long. It made me into a different type of athlete. I loved growing up in Mount Vernon.
JM: It sounds like you didn’t specialize in football at a young age.
TW: No, not at all. I played about five different sports every single year as a kid. I was playing sports year round.
JM: I don’t think everyone realizes what playing multiple sports can do for your development.
TW: Yeah, I’m in full agreement with you. If there was one thing I can tell parents out there, it would be to not make their kids specialize at a young age. Your body gets exposed to so many different movements and techniques when you diversify the amount of sports you’re playing. It’s tremendous what that will do for the muscles all throughout your body.
I always found the idea of playing a bunch of sports really cool to me. It definitely helped me develop into the athlete I am today. I loved it. I never wanted to be dormant. I wasn’t the type to just sit around because a season was over. What’s next? I loved going from sport to sport. I loved being busy.
JM: Going back to Mount Vernon, you must have consistently had a pretty large supporters section at all of Iowa’s home games, right?
TW: Oh yeah, my entire family was basically at every game. Being from such a small town, all of eastern Iowa watched me grow up. It felt like the whole town knew who I was and they wanted to be at every game. They wanted to make their support heard. It was pretty awesome.
JM: You played mostly right tackle at Iowa, but you saw some time at left tackle as well. Some may think you’re a better fit at guard. Where do you see yourself playing at the next level?
TW: It doesn’t really matter to me. I can play tackle. If a team needs me to play guard instead, that’s fine with me. I’m just trying to help my team out. I’m trying to get on the field as quickly as I can. Whichever position allows me to do that, I’ll be ready to roll.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
TW: I had a blast out there. Meeting all of the other athletes was such a cool experience. We’re all going through this process together so it was nice to meet those guys. We hung out all week long. You see each other on social media and you pretty much know who everybody is, but getting to meet them at the combine was a different experience. Meeting all of the teams was a great experience as well. I loved the Friday experience. That’s when I hit the field. Everything else was just leading up to that moment. I enjoyed getting a chance to showcase what I can do.
JM: Your 36.5-inch vertical set the combine record among your position. Your 10-foot-1 broad jump tied the all-time record for your position. You ran the best 40-yard dash time of any O-linemen this year with a 4.85, and your 7.65 time in the three-cone placed you in the top five among all offensive linemen this year. Not bad, huh?
TW: Prior to the combine, I had read a lot of stuff that said I wasn’t athletic enough. There were people out there that said I lacked elite athleticism. I think I kinda put all of that to bed on that Friday (laughs). I just went out there and had a good time. Being at the combine was something I had been dreaming about since I was a little kid. I enjoyed the entire experience. I just wanted to make the most of it.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing on the offensive line?
TW: I just really enjoy the brotherhood that we have up front. It’s different than any other position group on the field. We all have to be in sync to get the play going. Being on the offensive line allows you to move a guy off his spot against his will. What can feel better than that? It’s always a good time.
JM: How do you handle speed differently than power?
TW: I think it all depends on the rusher himself. They’re two very different things. With a power rusher, you have to drop your anchor down and essentially meet force with force. That’s what we were always taught at Iowa. With a speed rusher, you have to kick out with a lot of depth. You can switch it up though. You can kick out of your stance or you can throw him a change-up. I was always taught to dictate my plan to the rusher. It has to be specific. I have to throw off his rush plan. It all just depends.
JM: Iowa has done a terrific job developing offensive linemen throughout their history. What is it about the program that allows them to churn you guys out with such an impressive hit rate?
TW: It’s all about the culture that we have at Iowa. We’re held to a higher standard than most. The coaching staff is filled with a bunch of no nonsense guys. They demand the best out of us. The way things are ran at Iowa is pretty unique. They push us to a different level. They treat us like we’re professionals.
JM: Were you able to get in any private visits or workouts before the COVID-19 outbreak shut everything down?
TW: I was able to get in a private workout with the New York Jets. Everything else I had scheduled had to be changed around or canceled.
JM: I imagine you’ve moved things to the phones since then? Which teams have you met with via telephone?
TW: Yeah, absolutely we have. I met with the Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans via phone so far. I believe those are the only phone meetings I’ve had so far. I have one with the Cleveland Browns coming up as well.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
TW: I was waiting for that strange question, but it never came. I was totally expecting to get one. I had a few guys tell me to look out for the weird one, but I can’t recall anything strange. It’s a boring answer, but that’s the truth. I was kinda bummed that I didn’t get anything strange (laughs).
JM: Is there a scheme that you’re more comfortable playing in? I know that Iowa threw a lot at you, and you’re comfortable with different things. What did Iowa primarily run, and what can you tell me about the system?
TW: At Iowa, we’re a big zone team. We ran a lot of inside and outside zone. We had a lot of plays that required us tackles to pull out and get to the perimeter or the second level. For me, it doesn’t really matter what scheme I get put into. I don’t really have a preference. We ran mostly inside zone but we ran some power plays, some gap plays. Coming from Iowa, I’ve seen a lot. I’m thankful that we ran a pro-style offense. I’ll be ready for anything.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?
TW: I consider myself to be a pretty nice guy. Being able to put guys on their back and do it with a smile, that’s my thing. I help them up and get ready to do it again on the next play. I think that’s the most frustrating thing for a defender. It’s more frustrating than playing against a loud-mouth jerk. That’s not me. I’m not a trash talker. If I can put a guy on his back and help him up, that’s a tough pill for them to swallow. Actions speak louder than words, and the message has been received.
JM: Much was made of A.J. Epenesa’s poor combine performance. He’s someone that you got to practice against every day and prepare with on a weekly basis. The tape on him is very good. What did you tell him after the combine?
TW: Having a chance to go up against A.J. every day was honestly an honor for me. We were two guys who did everything in their power to make each other better. He gave me a chance to go up against an elite pass rusher every day in practice. It helped me out quite a bit. I know that he was kinda upset after the combine. I just told him that he’s gonna be just fine and not to sweat it. The tape on him is insane. Everybody knows what they’re getting in him. He just has to stay true to who he is. Everything is gonna work out just fine for him.
JM: Do you have a preferred pass set? Do you switch it up throughout the course of a game?
TW: At Iowa, I spent most of my time setting on a 45. I didn’t do many vertical sets. I would definitely switch things up throughout the course of a game though. I would jump set a guy here and there just to throw them off their game. Sometimes I would gain a bit more depth, not a straight back vertical by definition. The goal was to gain a little more depth than they were used to seeing from me. If I consistently set on a 45, I’m tipping my hand. That jump set would kinda come outta nowhere for them.
JM: When a team drafts Tristan Wirfs, what kind of guy are they getting?
TW: They’re getting a heck of a teammate, first and foremost. They’re getting a guy that’s gonna come into their building and make a difference. I’m gonna come to work every day and work my butt off. Most importantly, they’re getting a genuine person.
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