2020 mock drafts are already out, and an Iowa football player not named AJ Epenesa found their way in a top ten. His name is Tristan Wirfs.
All of the hype heading into the 2019 Iowa football season is about AJ Epenesa. As a sophomore, he was absolutely dominant against strong offensive lineman in the Big Ten, but one guy who most people are sleeping on at this point is Tristan Wirfs. I have not seen his name pop up in a single 2020 mock draft or 2020 big board until now.
The Athletic’s NFL Draft Analyst Dane Brugler has the mauling right tackle projected to go seventh next year to the New York Giants, and it’s not unreasonable at all.
Here’s what Brugler had to say about Wirf’s inclusion:
"If he continues his strong play from last season, Wirfs absolutely has top-10 potential. He is a powerful drive-blocker in the run game and stays balanced in pass protection, not allowing speed to stress him."
Currently, Wirfs is heading into his third season in the Iowa football program and will be starting for the third year at the right tackle position, but it’s important to note that he also has the potential to play left tackle as well. Because of circumstances though, he has been relegated to the right tackle position.
People are beginning to take notice, and we actually called out Wirfs as a possible early entrant in next year’s NFL Draft a few weeks ago. This guy is an animal and a relentless worker. Wirfs recently set the Iowa football hang clean record at 450 pounds and the guy is going to be a true junior entering the 2019 Iowa football season. There is a reason why he is the only player to ever start as a freshman at the tackle position under Kirk Ferentz.
The Athletic’s Brandon Thorn came away impressed by Wirf’s sophomore game tape as well.
As I've been studying this Iowa offense in 2018, I can't help but notice RT Tristan Wirfs. True junior in 2019. His size, power, and hand usage are outstanding: pic.twitter.com/NRGN17luUQ
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) April 27, 2019
So if you were questioning why two Iowa football players were in the top ten, don’t. Tristan Wirfs is legit, and he has an incredibly bright NFL future ahead of him. At 6’5” and 320 pounds. More impressive is he is just 20 years old.
By the time the 2020 NFL Draft rolls around, he will have just turned 21. At 21, he could be the highest offensive lineman drafted from the Iowa football program since Brandon Scherff went to the Redskins.