IOWA CITY — Iowa football defensive back Koen Entringer has officially entered the transfer portal, marking a significant change for the team’s defensive lineup as it prepares for the 2026 season.
Entringer has dedicated four seasons to the Hawkeyes, including a redshirt year, and recently showcased his capabilities by starting all 13 games in the 2025 season. He finished the year ranked third on the team with 73 total tackles, complementing his performance with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Despite previously starting just one game in his earlier seasons, Entringer gained recognition and respect within the team, earning the role of captain in each of the 12 regular-season games and being selected as one of Iowa’s three player representatives at the 2025 Big Ten Media Days.
With his departure, Iowa’s secondary faces additional challenges as they already prepare to adjust to the loss of other key players, including Xavier Nwankpa and TJ Hall. However, the team is set to retain Zach Lutmer, who emerged as a standout performer last season, along with cornerback Deshaun Lee, who will be a redshirt senior in 2026. The Hawkeyes also look to their younger talent, such as Rashad Godfrey Jr., Jaylen Watson, and Jacob Wallace, to step up in the upcoming season. Recently, the team added Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins, which may help mitigate some of the losses.
Entringer’s decision to enter the transfer portal is unexpected and presents a tough blow to Iowa’s defensive strategy. His leadership and experience would have been invaluable to the Hawkeyes next year. He joins defensive lineman Brian Allen, who also entered the portal after recording 3.5 sacks during his career, and defensive back Kael Kolarik, who was likely to take on a reserve role next season.
The Hawkeyes will need to regroup quickly to fill these gaps and prepare for the upcoming challenges of next season. With capable young players and new additions, there remains hope for a strong defensive presence moving forward.