Tristan Wirfs Talks About His 40 Time, Being A Multisport Athlete
April 26th, 2020
New Bucs manbeast
The Bucs have a monstrous new right tackle, Tristan Wirfs, an athletic marvel who set two records at the NFL Scouting Combine.
He talked about those and more just hours before the Bucs drafted him No. 13 overall on Thursday.
At 6-5, 320 pounds, Wirfs cranked out a 4.86 seconds, 40-yard dash time. It wasn’t a record among offensive linemen, but it’s an extraordinary number for a man that large. Even more impressive is Wirfs said he didn’t dive into a bunch of specific training for the 40.
He told SiriusXM NFL Radio last week that before the Combine, the last time he had run a timed 40 yard dash was as a sophomore in high school.
His record-setting 36 1/2-inch vertical leap (best ever for an O-lineman) was something Wirfs was dialed into nailing. He said he had hit 36 inches on the Friday before the Combine and was fired up when he broke the record. Wirfs also set a new broad jump record for offensive linemen.
Wirfs credits a lot of his athleticism to being a four-sport athlete in high school: football, baseball, wrestling and track.
Small-town Iowa life would have been too boring without lots of sports, he said, so he and his friends wanted to play them all. Competitive basketball was in the mix in eighth grade, as well, but he dropped that to get down to four sports in high school.
“Playing all those sports, you get exposed to different muscle groups,” Wirs said, adding all that coaching and competitive experience makes him who he is today.
On his track mentality, Wirfs said, “If you’re going to beat me, it’s going to be some crazy reason” because I am totally read and prepared.
His state wrestling crown clearly excited him and he sees how it’s helped make him a stud tackle.
“Wrestling, as heavyweights you’re pummeling, hand-fighting, you don’t get that many scrambles, but still you know where your center of gravity, you know awareness, all that,” Wirfs said. “I don’t know anything that translates as well, you know, onto the football field, especially on the offensive line.”
Wirfs said he’s more comfortable at right tackle than left, but he played enough left tackle at Iowa to know that side of the line would be a fast and easy transition for him.
Man, all that size and athleticism, Joe can’t wait to see him run block.
April 26th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
I know he’s been criticized as not “mean” enough for an OL, but there’s clearly no shortage of competitiveness in him. Sounds like a guy who won’t have to be encouraged to finish blocks like a certain other beastly OT
April 26th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Read the latest comments from our Governor. It is doubtful that our new OT will see a football field, this year.
April 26th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Should be a Buc for many years. Great move.
April 26th, 2020 at 3:24 pm
Our need was the right side
He played mainly right side.
Sounds amazing to me
April 26th, 2020 at 3:24 pm
Big, incredible athlete. Great coaching and technique from Iowa. He’s going to be plug and play RT, immediate boost to our line. Wouldn’t be surprised if Cappa becomes the weak link, I could see Haeg replacing him unless he improves this off-season. Go Bucs!!
April 26th, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Notice that the saints just gave tayson 21 million 2 yr contract. So much for Winston taking over for Brees. Lol
April 26th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Cant we go back to some more jameis articles?
Man i cant wait to see him in those tight Saints pants
And he will be closer to see since he will not play in any games and be constantly on sidelines
Man he is hot
April 26th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
Formerly tampa 2
Payton even said after signing today that Taysom was going to be the #2 qb
April 26th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Just noticed Joe that NFL.com has a list of Undrafted Free Agents signed by each team. Ravens & Rams had each signed 20 apiece to lead the group. The least signed (at least showing up on the list)? The Bucs … with TWO (QB Sinnett & OL Molchon . Did they just not report? Can’t answer that. Joe cares little about undrafted free agents until seeing them in camp. –Joe http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001111648/article/undrafted-rookie-free-agents-team-signings-after-2020-nfl-draft )
April 26th, 2020 at 3:36 pm
He wrestled. That proves to me he’s not soft. Great pick. Not sure Cappa is the right man for the job. Gets pushed around too much
April 26th, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Tristan said if he gets beat it’s for “some crazy reason”.
He gets smoked when the DE/LB cuts inside. Penn state capitalized on this. I don’t think that’s a “crazy reason”.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Yeah Seminole sadly I think we went all in on the year no football will be played. Can’t help but think that may have been in Belichick mind when we traded away a lot of capitial and didn’t bother with a qb
April 26th, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Unbelievable athlete……unfortunately it’s hard to wrestle on the football field without holding but maybe he’s got some moves.
Even with a 15 yard penalty, I’d love to see him take down a D lineman even if it’s just once.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:14 pm
Yeah “that guy”…at 21, he is well past the age of improving his game, even with good coaching. Of course, some guys even with the best coaching available can’t improve their game. But then, they mostly aren’t here anymore.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
I enjoy a lot of the comments/posters on here, that’s why I visit Joe Bucs Fan. So I appreciate most of you. On the other hand, comments I’ve seen over the last few days:
•Antoine Winfield Jr. isn’t any good because he’s a “shrimp”
• Bucs will go 2-14 after Brady gets hurt
•Licht is an idiot for not signing the great Anthony Gordon, who 32 teams passed on 255 times (there have been undrafted free agents who’ve wound up being good, but Gordon had a choice and signed with Seattle)
•One “fan”, after what I consider to be quite a nice haul in the 2020 Draft, could only bring up the 2016 Draft
Can you just be happy? Hahaha
April 26th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
@Seminole Bill
I may have missed what you read about what Governor DeSantis said.
He said he is in no rush to end social distancing restrictions and no in person sports in May.
I missed where he said no football in September. Or that is is doubtful this year. Maybe you and I interpret differently but to go on this site to suggest you know it is doubtful seems to be your strong opinion instead of an out of the mouth opinion from DeSantis.
I got to be honest, I have no clue if there will be football. But I have not seen anything where DeSantis has strongly positioned that there will be no football for the whole year.
I tend to think there is lots of momentum for there to be NFL football this fall. But again things are changing so we will have to wait and see.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Anyone who can jump out of a pool, should win the vertical jump.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:35 pm
Seminole Bill
The NBA has decided to start practices…..And Ron DeSantis seems to be interested in moving forward in a measured fashion…..Jax beaches are open much to the disappointment of national media….
I think you will see activity at OBP in June….
The Giants & Jets may have to share our facility, however.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:42 pm
THE COVID-19 SEASON…
I keep seeing people posting that we won’t have an NFL season this year, etc.
We WILL most likely have an NFL season. I have heard from multiple people that it’s already set in stone. The other only difference is it may be without fans in the stands.
The NFL only generates about 12% of revenue from game attendance. The rest is from already guaranteed TV revenue. Advertisers will be lining up to buy ads because viewership during these times will surely be even HIGHER with so many at home, just like what happened with the NFL Draft coverage setting viewership records.
The 2020 NFL Season WILL happen. The only question is whether there will be fans allowed at the games or not; possible with mass testing outside of stadiums before entry, etc.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:57 pm
Seminole Bill…there WILL be a season and Desantis never said anything close to what you’re saying. He said a season with fans in the stands is a no go. Unless you read or heard differently.
Why do you suppose they picked up Gronk for 10 million or the Saints just signed Jameis for 5 million? Cause they’re won’t be a season?
There WILL be a season in 2020.
April 26th, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Why do people keep saying that there won’t be a season?
Last week it was Coumo said no season….when he said nothing like that.
Do you peeps just hear what you want to hear?
April 26th, 2020 at 5:08 pm
@Buc1987: So what if Cuomo said “no season.”
All the NYC teams play in New Jersey.
Has there NJ gubernator said “no football?”
Do “you peeps” know your geography?
April 26th, 2020 at 5:19 pm
I could see most teams playing down in florida , texas and arizona etc etc
They will have faster testing etc by then too
I do think that fans in the stands likely will not happen but thats all good
Its 80 degrees in December as we all know.
April 26th, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Defense Rules – TB has signed about a dozen UDFAs. And they look pretty good. Some nice looking WRs. And a stud DE or two. Usually a couple of them stick around – at least on the practice squad. Sometimes even on the roster.
April 26th, 2020 at 5:22 pm
So if he’s that athletic, what’s this whole thing about moving him to guard because he can’t handle speed rushers, that I keep hearing about? Or am I just confused? As usual. Lol.
April 26th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Awesome pick.
April 26th, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Wrestling is the most grueling sport, bar none. Winning a state title is bad-ass. Like him even more now.
April 26th, 2020 at 5:46 pm
Cobraboy. The “peeps” may not know geography, but they can at least spell correctly. Just playin’
April 26th, 2020 at 6:00 pm
At worst he’s an elite guard, yes please and thank you. When Brady manipulates the pocket, most times he’ll end up stepping up in the pocket to make a throw. Also it looks like inside zone is by far our most called run play. Elite guard makes a lot of sense as well??
April 26th, 2020 at 6:31 pm
DT Khalil Davis 308 lbs 4.75 40 yard dash
OT Tristan Wirfs 322 lbs 4.85 40 yard dash
NT Vita Vea 347 lbs 5.10 40 yard dash
Let’s get that race in training camp (Vea a slight head start because he’s a vet now)
April 26th, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Rrsrq. I thought the same thing. Winner gets to score a touchdown with the 2 “losers” blocking on goal line situations.
April 26th, 2020 at 6:54 pm
#Jumbopackage
April 26th, 2020 at 6:55 pm
Anyone else think it would be wise to bring back Dotson to help this man transition to the NFL? Plus Dotson has earned the right to play on this team – even as a backup – after losing for 10 years in Tampa
April 26th, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Jason Says:
You got a problem with “gubernator”? 😉 😉
I have a rather unique vocabularium.
April 26th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
I would love to see Dotson come back in a reserve role as well as Winston but it’s time to move on. I love Wirfs the whole time but he like other draft picks we got this year is very versatile much so to a fault. I’m not sure if he is a Guard or Tackle Right or Left and he can play all of them too. I like the wrestling background too I think it’s a DNA trait from it that translates to the field and it’s called perseverance. Not worried about him being a nice guy because unlike D. Smith he works extra hard. They had a chance to move on from him this week and didn’t budge. I love the Wirfs selection though
April 26th, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Jason Says:
The vast majority of these draft nerds have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.
This is why I despise draft season. Beyond the first 3-4 obvious picks, almost every one of these guys/gals/xirs are wrong. And the vast majority weren’t even the waterboy or jock cleaner in high school. Hell, they couldn’t run the 4.85 40 Wirfs can, or the vert.
That said, no player is perfect, nor do any coaches expect perfection. They expect 100% effort and drive for constant improvement.
If an athletic freak like Wirfs can’t 100% stone every “speed rusher” in the history of the NFL, does that mean he is a poor prospect? That concept is absurd.
Wirfs was a steal at 13 and will make as much difference on the OL has Vea did on the DL the last half of his rookie season. Once the lightbulb goes off in his head, and he combines game-speed experience with that athletic ability, the dude will be grinding players.
April 26th, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Been a fan from the beginning. Seen a lot of Buccaneer teams. I never been embarrassed of my Bucs. Always wanted a dominating team before I died. Looks like we are arriving at my wish. Can the Bucs take the NFC? Yes. Brady has the ability to dissect any NFL defense in the league. Gronk with OJ and Brate will confuse defenses regularly. The running game will pick up but I believe it will be slowly. Usually the run game opens up the passing attacks but the Bucs usually are in reverse on that especially this year. I believe it will be the passing attack that opens up the run game. Evans and Godwin are both in the top 10 of all receivers in the league and with our young men from Minnesota both topnotch talents along with the addition of Wirfs and all of the depth additions made the Bucs stand a solid chance of winning the NFC.
April 26th, 2020 at 8:15 pm
I also LOVE the fact that he is wrestler. That should damn near be a requirement for playing o-line in the NFL.
April 26th, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Wirfs may also develop in a rotation role with the offensive line. I could see him starting out at guard to allow Cappa more time to get healthy. I just feel Cappa needs to sit behind D. Smith and be groomed as LT of the future. I also think Haeg and Cappa may end up turning into a rotation at either Guard or Tackle looks like it will be Guard at this point. Wirfs would be ideal to though to turn into a LT as well and could rotate with Smith at LY on obvious passing downs and situations. Go with guys that can move around against speedy defensive lines on third down and long. That would ease Wirfs development in to being LT of the future. I like Marpet and feel he will retire in Tampa. This Wirfs selection does offer some versatility and also hopefully some rotation as well along our front and allow for some good cap cutting of the underserving and big contract of D. Smith. D. Smith would love to sit those speed downs out trust me.
April 26th, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Seminole Bill Says:
April 26th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Read the latest comments from our Governor. It is doubtful that our new OT will see a football field, this year
_____
Calling BS on that. With each day that goes by the truth comes out about this fauxdemic.
April 26th, 2020 at 10:13 pm
I don’t know who said he wasn’t “mean” as everything I’ve read from B10 land is that he has a nasty attitude when in the trenches. That’s what we need. Plus if he’s soft a tad, Ryan Jensen will make him nastier.
April 26th, 2020 at 10:26 pm
You can be silently disturbing. Just look at Suh. I love that guy.
April 27th, 2020 at 12:09 am
There will be a season. Billionaire’s that run this country will not lose a dollar from TV ratings. About to open Florida. Yikes.
April 27th, 2020 at 1:20 am
The comments that you have to be mean to be a good offensive lineman I feel is incorrect.What wins the day is comradery between the players of each unit and overall skills being applied correctly You can be meaner than a junkyard dog and make all kinds of mistakes. This defensive unit this year for example. Last season, they looked a lot like Super Bowl contenders than losers. You think they were angry? Hell yes they were very. They felt every game as if they were playing great for nothing. That’s why McCoy wasn’t more intense. He was tired of playing for nothing. That guy deserved to be on the team. Winston should have been smart and stuck with the Bucs as a back up. Sure he would have had to swallow some pride but doesn’t that make the man? Brady started as a back up right? Bucs need to go with the run game they got and get more OL and DB help that has veteran experience while they still can. They really need it. GO BUCS!!!
April 27th, 2020 at 9:26 am
Can’t wait til Logan Mankins comes out of retirement