JetNation Prospect Profile: Iowa Tackle Tristan Wirfs
Tristan Wirfs
Offensive Tackle, Iowa, Big Ten (West)
Measurables/Age:
- Age: 21 (1/24/1999)
- Height: 6’4 ⅞”
- Weight: 320 lbs
- Hand Size: 10 ¼”
- Arm Size: 34”
- Wingspan: 80 ¼”
Stats:
- 2017: 7 games
- 2018: 12 games
- 2019: 13 games
Awards/Accolades:
2019:
- Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year
- First Team All-Big Ten (AP)
- Second Team All-America (AP)
- Team Hustle Award
Injuries:
2017:
2018: Spring Practice injury; missed few weeks of practice
2019:
2020 NFL Combine (Rank among OTs):
- 40-yard Dash: 4.85 (1st)
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.65 (5th)
- Vertical Jump: 36.5” (1st)
- Broad Jump: 121” (1st)
- Bench Press: 24 (T-10th)
Film Room:
Best Game:
- Run Blocking – Miami (OH) (2019)
- Pass Blocking – Rutgers (2019)
Worst Game:
- Pass Blocking – Mississippi State (2018)
Strengths:
- Athleticism
- Plays Through Whistle
- More Fluid Motion at LT than RT
- Solid in Pass Protection
- Pulling/Working in Space
- Awareness on Stunts
- Power in Run Game
Weaknesses:
- Shorter Arms
- More Punch in Pass Protection
- Slower First Step
- Missed Cut Blocks often
Draft Value/Grade:
- Ranking: Top 25 prospect overall, OT2
- Grade: 6.74 (Year 1 Quality Starter)
- Scheme: Zone Blocking
In high school, Tristan Wirfs was dominant in nearly every sport he played, from baseball to wrestling to track and field. He won the state discus title 3 times, as well as the state shot put title twice. As he senior, Wirfs even won the state wrestling championship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=xWlSAGAODzs
In college, he started all 33 games that he played in during his sophomore and junior seasons. The only game he missed was the 2018 season opener vs Northern Illinois following a July 2018 OWI arrest. After his return to the team, his work ethic earned his teammates’ trust back. Prior to his junior season, Wirfs set the Iowa school power clean record of 450 lbs, previously held by current NFL guard Brandon Scherff.
Many analysts say Wirfs is the tackle near the top of the board most likely to transition inside to guard at the NFL level, but Wirfs has the potential to play any of the five spots on the offensive line. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller said the “threshold” for offensive tackles is about 33 inches, so Wirfs’ size shows he can unquestionably play outside at tackle. He continued to dominate in every drill of the combine, setting a new vertical jump record for offensive linemen at 36.5”, as well as tying the broad jump record of 10’1”.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1233531014519107584?s=20
https://twitter.com/dvillionaire/status/1229814271653097473?s=21
https://twitter.com/dvillionaire/status/1229823588364095494?s=21
With the Jets obvious need to protect Sam Darnold, offensive line may be a position group they can’t afford to ignore early. Wirfs’ versatility shouldn’t be passed up by the Jets when they are on the clock at pick 11 if he is available.
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