Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz loves recruiting players who were multi-sport athletes in high school. Most multi-sport athletes have played on the line, having been wrestlers and football players in high school.
Two of the most successful linemen during Ferentz's tenure, Tristan Wirfs and Tyler Linderbaum, were multi-sport athletes in high school, including football and wrestling.
Linderbaum (Solon) and Wirfs (Mt. Vernon), both Iowa natives, faced off in their wrestling career with Linderbaum upsetting Wirfs.
Wirfs has been an integral part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers success after they drafted him with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Wirfs served as the right tackle for future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady during the Bucs' 2021 Super Bowl-winning season and made a seamless transition to left tackle over the past two seasons.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Wirfs could start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after undergoing surgery to repair a knee injury.
Here is our full story on #Bucs All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs undergoing surgery and set to begin the season on the PUP list because of a knee injury: https://t.co/KFGtfpYewnhttps://t.co/KFGtfpYewn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 9, 2025
NFL Network National Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Wirfs underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and could miss a minimum of four games to start the season.
In August 2024, Wirfs became the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league after signing a five-year $140.6 million extension.
Wirfs has demonstrated his versatility by switching from right tackle to left tackle in 2023, and not skipping a beat as he protects quarterback Baker Mayfield's blind side.
Last season, Wirfs did not allow a sack and allowed only 13 quarterback pressures, the best by all offensive linemen who had a minimum of 600 snaps.
If Wirfs misses significant time, it will be a detrimental blow to the high-powered Buccaneers offense.