Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In recent years the Bucs have built a pipeline between draft prospects certain colleges to Tampa Bay.

At one time, Auburn was a prominent school that saw multiple players go from the the Tigers to the Bucs, including running backs Peyton Barber and cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis III, and linebacker K.J. Britt. There’s no doubt that the Washington Huskies pipeline has been constantly flowing over the years with the likes of defensive tackles Vita Vea and Greg Gaines, outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, tight ends Cade Otton and Devin Culp and wide receiver Jalen McMillan.

But another successful pipeline to Tampa Bay that has been created has been the Iowa Hawkeyes with two names in particular at the forefront.

The Bucs’ franchise was impacted forever when they drafted offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa back in 2020. He won a Super Bowl as a rookie at right tackle, eventually earning an All-Pro. Later on he moved to left tackle and won another All-Pro while making five Pro Bowls in his six NFL seasons. Wirfs added a receiving touchdown this season, which is just another thing to put down on his future Hall of Fame resume.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Wirfs has talked a lot of previously about how much the University of Iowa means to him. With a school known for their offensive linemen, Tristan Wirfs stands out among them all. And that’s why Hawkeyes that have followed him all recognize that he’s a household name at this point.

The Bucs also drafted outside linebacker Anthony Nelson out of Iowa in the fourth round in 2019, and signed Hawkeyes linebacker Nick Jackson as an undrafted free agent this year.

Tristan Wirfs Coached A 2026 Draft Prospect At Iowa

During the 2026 Senior Bowl, Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker was the talk of the college all-star game. Some of the attention is due to his long red mullet and mustache, but his great play also stood out during the week. Dunker and Tristan Wirfs share something in common – and its that they’re each two-time Hay Bale toss champions at Iowa.

The Hawkeyes have meant a lot of Dunker too, as he’s been going to their football camps since he was in high school. And of course, one of the counselors that was teaching him pass blocking moves was none other than Wirfs.

“When I went to Iowa, the camp, he was actually trying to teach me how to pass set,” Dunker said. “I think it was going to take me more than one camp to learn, but he attempted to, which is actually awesome looking back at it. Someone like him was teaching a 220-pound sophomore in high school how to pass set. He didn’t have to be there. I’m sure he probably wasn’t getting paid – maybe he got volunteer hours or whatever. But that speaks to who he is.”

Anthony Nelson Also Has Hawkeyes Watching His Games

A season before Tristan Wirfs was drafted by the Bucs, outside linebacker Anthony Nelson made his way to Tampa Bay as a Day 3 pick out of Iowa in the 2019 NFL Draft. Nelson also won a Super Bowl with the Bucs, and has carved out a nice role as a resever edge rusher who can spot start when necessary.

He’s re-signed with Tampa Bay twice already in his career, showing that he’s been a staple of consistency with this core group. Nelson has played in 1o7 career games and recorded 21.5 sacks.

Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson and Saints QB Spencer Rattler – Photo by: USA Today

There was an Iowa player on the defensive side of the ball at this year’s Senior Bowl, which was edge rusher Max Llewellyn. Just like Gennings Dunker, Wirfs and Nelson, he also played his whole college career with the Hawkeyes. Llewellyn can appreciate what guys like Wirfs and Nelson have done to pave the way for himself and others.

“Tristan Wirfs might be the best tackle of all time,” Llewellyn said. “That guy’s insane – crazy athlete.”

Since Nelson plays the same position as Llewellyn, there was a little bit more that the edge rusher could appreciate about his game. After all, Nelson is 6-foot-7 while Llewellyn is 6-foot-5, so their heights aren’t that far off. Both have similar skill sets, too.

“Anthony Nelson, I feel like there’s a lot of similarities between our games,” Llewellyn said. “He’s a really good, productive player. Both of them have been in the league for a long time. Those guys are Iowa legends.”

Llewellyn recorded 14.5 sacks in his Hawkeyes career, including 12 in the last two seasons. His signature pass rushing tactic is that he likes to use a spin move to get by the offensive lineman and move to the quarterback. The key, though, is that its not just about the spin on that play, it’s the other moves he’s set up beforehand that gives him the opening in that particular moment on the pass rush.

Iowa Edge Max Llewellyn – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jeffrey Becker

“Everyone likes to talk about my spin move, but what they don’t talk about is the three-four moves prior to that that sets the spin move up,” Llewellyn said. “I’m not just out there. I’m rushing with a purpose. I’m rushing to set people up. It’s like a chess game. The spin move comes off of other moves. I can talk about this for hours.”

The Bucs definitely need another edge rusher or two this offseason and will likely select at least one in the 2026 NFL Draft. We’ll see how Tampa Bay goes about it to improve the team’s defense.

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