Iowa football, Chad Leistikow reacts to Koen Entringer’s departure
Hawk Central columnist Chad Leistikow shares his thoughts after Koen Entringer’s departure from the Iowa football team.
IOWA CITY — Iowa football defensive back Koen Entringer has entered the transfer portal.
Entringer, who has spent four seasons in the program, including a redshirt year, had been non-committal about his future and went through Senior Day festivities ahead of the Michigan State game. He very well might have played his last snap as a Hawkeye.
Entringer waited for his turn for a more prominent role on defense and was rewarded by starting all 13 games for the Hawkeyes in 2025. The redshirt junior ranked third on the team in total tackles with 73. He also recorded one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Despite starting only one game in his career before this season, Entringer was voted one of Iowa’s three player representatives at the 2025 Big Ten Media Days, which speaks to his high standing within the team. Entringer was also a captain for all 12 regular season games last season.
This is a hit to what Iowa’s secondary could look like in 2026.
The Hawkeyes, who are already losing Xavier Nwankpa and TJ Hall, now see Entringer enter the transfer portal. Iowa is still projected to return Zach Lutmer, who was a breakout performer for the Hawkeyes in 2025. Cornerback Deshaun Lee will be a redshirt senior in 2026. There are also some young, promising players in the pipeline, such as Rashad Godfrey Jr., Jaylen Watson and Jacob Wallace. Iowa recently landed Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins.
But Entringer’s leadership, physical tools and experience would’ve made him a crucial piece to the Hawkeyes’ defense next season, and his entrance to the transfer portal is an unexpected and tough development for Iowa.
Entringer is the second projected 2026 starter on the defensive side of the ball to enter the transfer portal. Defensive lineman Brian Allen, who had 3.5 sacks in his career as a Hawkeye, also entered the transfer portal. Defensive back Kael Kolarik, who would’ve likely been a reserve for Iowa next season, entered the transfer portal, as well.
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