Offensive line play isn’t undervalued in Iowa City. On a yearly basis, everyone knows that Kirk Ferentz will have the Hawkeyes ready to go to work in the trenches.

It’s that mindset that has helped Iowa produce plenty of NFL-caliber talent along the offensive line. One of the most recent products to go through the system is projected first-round draft pick Tristan Wirfs, who excelled for the Hawkeyes in three seasons.

Wirfs made the trip to Indianapolis for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where he hopes to improve his draft stock even more. When asked why so many players from Iowa find success in the league, Wirfs compared Iowa to a “factory” of offensive line talent.

“I think just the culture there,” Wirfs said, when asked what makes Iowa special in producing offensive lineman. “The way we develop people, develop guys…they can take guys and give them a new position and they become Pro Bowl players, stuff like that. It’s just kinda like a factory. Coach Ferentz has been an O-line coach for, I don’t know how long.”

Iowa has enjoyed quite a bit of success over the last five seasons, thanks in large part to strong offensive line play. The Hawkeyes have posted a 47-19 record, with two 10-plus win seasons and one B1G West title. Last year, the Hawkeyes finished 10-3.

We’ll see if Wirfs becomes the next great Hawkeye to excel in the NFL.