Iowa Native, NFL Star Records First Career Touchdown

Tristan Wirfs, a former Mount Vernon, Hawkeye standout, caught his first TD as an NFL offensive lineman Sunday
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

After 87 games, a former Iowa high school football and wrestling standout recorded his first career touchdown in the NFL.

Tristan Wirfs, who dominated both on the gridiron and the wrestling mat for Mount Vernon High School before having an excellent career with the Iowa Hawkeye football team, caught a 2-yrd touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield Sunday.

Scoring Play Came On Key Situation For Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay

The play came on third-and-goal for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Arizona Cardinals, as Wirfs slipped out from his spot on the offensive line at tackle to make the catch. The score capped a 10-play, 50-yard drive that put Tampa Bay ahead, 10-0, just before halftime.

Wirfs, who started his NFL career protecting Tom Brady at right tackle, switched to left tackle a few years later. He has started each of the 88 games that he has played in since being drafter by the Buccaneers in 2020 at No. 13 overall of the first round.

Former Mount Vernon Standout Already A Super Bowl Champion, Has Earned Multiple All-Pro, Pro Bowl Honors

The 26-year-old is a one-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro pick. He is 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, and now has a touchdown reception to go along with two fumble recoveries in his NFL career.

At Mount Vernon, Wirfs was a U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection and named the captain of the Class 2A all-state team his senior season. He was a three-year letterwinner on the offensive and defensive line, helping his team to a 20-6 record the final two seasons with a run to the state championship game.

Tristan Wirfs Was A State Wrestling Champion, Won State Track And Field Titles In High School

Wirfs had a pick-6 on defense and won a state wrestling championship and swept both the state track and field shot put and discus events as a senior and junior. He also won discus as a sophomore, and was just the fourth Iowa male prep to win both throwing events in three consecutive years, and the first to win three straight state discus titles since the 1950s.

While playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Wirfs earned All-American honors by multiple outlets and was named the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten Conference. He was the first true freshman to start at offensive tackle under head coach Kirk Ferentz.

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Dana Becker
DANA BECKER

Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in northcentral Iowa and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in 2022 focused on the state of Iowa. Along with providing coverage of football and wrestling, Dana also spotlights cross country, swimming, basketball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball and softball. He began writing for High School on SI in 2023.