By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Koen Entringer has a message for anyone who thinks he is now suddenly “the guy” in the Iowa football team’s defensive backfield:

“I don’t know if I’m the guy,” Entringer said Tuesday when asked by a member of the media what it feels like to be the guy this year. “I don’t try and put it that way. I just try to control what I can control and when the ball comes to me, just worry about first and foremost not letting the guy catch it and see that he get tackles and just take it one play at a time.”

Entringer was then reminded about the offseason noise suggesting that he might be a star on the rise despite having only started one game as a Hawkeye.

And it isn’t just outside noise from the media.

Entringer was among three players that represented Iowa at Big Ten Media Day in late July, and he is also one of 15 players that were named to Iowa’s Player Council.

Both selections show that Entringer is highly respected and admired by his teammates and coaches.

The junior from Ypsilanti, Michigan is also starting to emerge as a player and will start at strong safety in Saturday’s season opener against Albany at Kinnick Stadium.

Entringer is listed at three different positions on this week’s depth as he is also the backup at free safety and at the cash position.

But he isn’t “the guy.”

“I don’t want to put too much attention on myself,” Entringer said. “And I don’t like being called the guy because I think it’s just this defense and we’ve been the (backups) for so long, and I’m just excited for us to take the field together.

“I’m not the guy. We’re just a bunch of guys who are playing together. And I think that’s what it’s about.”

Entringer is correct in saying that he isn’t “the guy,” at least not yet.

He just doesn’t have the body of work to support that claim, and it speaks well of Entringer that he has enough self-awareness and humility to realize it.

Entringer is among at least five new starters for Iowa on defense this season.

And while he certainly has had his moments as a Hawkeye, most of his career to this point has been spent playing on special teams and as a reserve, or as a fifth defensive back.

That’s why it was so surprising when Entringer was picked by his teammates to represent Iowa at Big Ten Media Day in Las Vegas because that is an honor that is usually bestowed on a more established player.

Entringer was also named as one of Iowa’s four captains for the Albany game, along with quarterback Mark Gronowski, center Logan Jones and defensive end Ethan Hurkett.

“It definitely feels good to be voted by my peers, and I think it’s just a testament to what I want to be,” Entringer said. “I tell people all the time; I just want to be remembered as a great teammate. And it just feels good to know my teammates think so highly of me.”

Entringer is by far the least accomplished of Iowa’s four team captains, so this is the latest example of him being picked for a leadership role despite his lack of experience.

That speaks volumes about Entringer’s approach to the daily grind, and about his team-first mentality.

“I just try to be myself, and if I just be myself and just trust God, and trust his plan for me, everything is going to work out for itself and I’m pretty content withy that,” Entringer said.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds, Entringer appears to have all the physical skills that are required to excel as a Hawkeye defensive back.

Fans saw his speed and determination at the 2023 Big Ten Championship game when Entringer, after initially failing to tackle Michigan’s punt returner, got back up on his feet and then sprinted past players from both teams before finally making a diving tackle just a few yards from Iowa’s end zone to prevent a touchdown.

That is without question still the play, and the moment, that stands out the most in Entringer’s Hawkeye career.

However, that should change with Entringer now finally a starter in year four as there will now be lots of moments for him to shine.

Entringer will start alongside senior and three-year starter Xavier Nwankpa at the two safety positions.

Nwankpa has switched to free safety after having played mostly at strong safety in his first three seasons.

The Iowa defensive backs have a high standard to live up to while playing under long-time defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who also coaches the defensive backs.

Since 2012, the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Award has been given to an Iowa defensive back six times, with the latest being Cooper DeJean in 2023.

So, while the hype continues to grow for Koen Entringer, he seems to be taking the right approach by trying to downplay it.

Because it takes a lot to be “the guy” in the Iowa secondary.

Entringer might earn that title some day.

But right now, he is more concerned about just being a part of something that is much bigger than him.

“I’m just excited to take the field with thee guys,” Entringer said. “We’ve been preaching every single day jut playing together. We only get 12 guaranteed opportunities and I’m excited just to be out there together with my brothers.”

“I just try to be myself, and if I just be myself and just trust God, and trust his plan for me, everything is going to work out for itself and I’m pretty content withy that.”

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