In Search of a New Pair of Shoes

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By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa — In January, Tristan Wirfs traded the 2000 Chevrolet Impala he has driven since his sophomore year of high school for a new truck. What could a first-round NFL draft pick wish for now?

“I might order a new pair of shoes,” Wirfs told reporters Friday during a 20-minute Zoom teleconference. “I have been needing a new pair of shoes for a while.”

That shouldn’t be a financial burden for Wirfs, the University of Iowa junior offensive tackle selected 13th overall by Tampa Bay during the opening round of Thursday’s NFL Draft. The Buccaneers traded up a spot to take Wirfs, a 6-foot-5, 322-pounder from Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Tampa Bay has had a busy offseason, signing Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady in March and tight end Rob Gronkowski last week.

“I couldn’t think of a better situation,” Wirfs said. “Getting to block for Tom Brady and getting to play next to Rob Gronkowski; I’m ecstatic with how everything went. I can’t wait to get down to Tampa and start working.”

Wirfs said he has spent his life in a “30-mile bubble” between Mount Vernon and Iowa City, so he looks forward to a move to Florida.

Here are a few highlights of Wirfs’ interview:

On protecting Brady, who won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots
“He has to put his trust in me to protect him. Doing something like that during your rookie season is going to be a great experience. I’m excited to learn from him; he has been a student of the game who has been in the league for 20 years.”

We’ll Call Back on Monday
Wirfs had difficulty hearing members of the Tampa Bay organization when they called Thursday evening to congratulate the newest Buccaneer. They hope for a better connection at a later date.

“A whole clan in Mount Vernon was in my back yard, cars were flying by in front of my house honking, so [the Tampa Bay representatives] said they would give me a call Monday.”

Reuniting with Hawkeye Anthony Nelson with Buccaneers
“He might have been the first person to text me. He taught me so much about pass rushers my freshman and sophomore seasons. We did player reports on each other; he gave me a scouting report on what I could do better, and I tried to give one on him.

“I love Anthony, it will be fun being his teammate again.”

Watching as Other Tackles were Selected in the First Round
“It was different seeing those three tackles go before me. I’m a competitive person and it was a stinger for a little bit. Being able to go to the Bucs and being in the situation I’m in now, I would 100 percent have it this way. It stung a little bit at first, then it went away quick.”

What Number?
Wirfs said guard Ali Marpet from Hobart reached out to him after the draft. Marpet wears No. 74 with the Buccaneers and informed Wirfs it is time to look for a new number.

“I was like, that’s fine,” Wirfs said.

Thoughts on A.J. Epenesa Sill on the Board
Wirfs spoke to defensive end A.J. Epenesa on Thursday prior to the draft.

“He said ‘You’re my uso (brother in Samoan) for life,'” Wirfs said.

“People just need to put on the tape and see what he does on the field. A lot of teams missed out and someone will get an absolute steal in the draft. He will get there with a chip on his shoulder and he will be a force.”

A Call from the Head Hawkeye, Kirk Ferentz
“He called (Thursday), wished me luck and said he was proud of me. He has been so supportive through this whole process. He wished me luck before the NFL Combine, congratulated me after the Combine. I love coach Ferentz, I always will. He has been the best coach I have ever had and I know there are 100 other guys who can say the same thing.”

To read the University of Iowa’s NFL Draft Central Page, click HERE.