From small-town Iowa to a star in the NFL, former Hawkeye Tristan Wirfs has had a storied football career.
Growing up in Mount Vernon, Iowa, about 20 mintues from the University of Iowa, Wirfs was destined for stardom from day one.
Wirfs was a three-sport star athlete for Mount Vernon High School, lettering in football, track, and wrestling.
He was a state champion in wrestling during his senior year, and was a dominating force on the offensive line for football squad.
Before he joined the Hawkeye football program, he showcased his athleticism by jumping out of a swimming pool from a standing position to the outside of the pool without a moving start.
After becoming the full-time starter at right tackle during his sophomore season (2018), Wirfs improved each year until he became a first-round NFL Draft selection in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Wirfs with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he became a pivotal piece of an offensive line tasked with protecting Tom Brady.
Now entering his fifth season in the NFL, Wirfs has been named to the NFL Top 100 Players for 2025 list.
NFL Top 100 Players of 2025: @Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs earns spot No. 28! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/AsLhbbPphh
— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2025
Wirfs checked in at No. 28 overall on the list after another dominating season in 2024.
Since joining the Buccaneers in 202, Wirfs has worked himself into the conversation asone of the best tackles in the NFL, and received recognition for his efforts.
During the offseason before the start of the 2025-2026 season, Wirfs had knee surgery to repair an issue, and will miss time to begin the campaign.
He was recently activated off the physically unable to perform list (PUP), but the exact timetable for his return is unknown.