In what would be the biggest exit for Iowa football thus far, star safety and defensive captain Koen Entringer is reportedly entering the NCAA transfer portal.
ESPN’s Max Olson was the first to report the news that Entringer had entered the transfer portal.
Entringer, a 6-foot-1, 211-pound defensive back, started all 13 games for the Hawkeyes in 2025 and was one of Iowa’s permanent team captains. The Ypsilanti, Mich., product ranked third on the Hawkeyes with 73 tackles to propel Entringer to All-Big Ten honorable mention status from the league’s coaches.
Entringer also added 3.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2025.
In his Iowa career, Entringer has appeared in 43 games, started 14 and recorded 100 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The news that Entringer is entering the transfer portal comes as a shock. Entringer told reporters in Tampa, Fla., ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl that he was returning to Iowa for the 2026 season.
Entringer had discussed Iowa turning the corner next season against ranked opponents when he told reporters that he would be back in 2026.
“It’s a big reminder and something I’m going to make sure I focus on and remind the team next season. When you’re playing those ranked opponents, those top-10 teams, the margin for error is slim to none…
“I don’t want to make any proclamations, but ideally win every single game next season and go to the CFP. That’s always the goal,” Entringer said.
Now, it appears as though Iowa will need to replace both of its starting safeties from the 2025 college football season, as Xavier Nwankpa has exhausted his collegiate eligibility.
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