By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Though he’s a redshirt junior and has one more season of eligibility, Iowa strong safety Koen Entringer will participate in the Senior Day ceremony just prior to Saturday’s home finale against Michigan State at Kinnick Stadium.

“Oh, yeah, no doubt,” Entringer said Tuesday. “My mom made sure of it.”

As for his future beyond this season, Entringer isn’t ready to look that far ahead yet, at least not publicly.

“All be honest, I’ve really just been focused on beating Michigan State,” said Entringer, who is from Ypsilanti, Michigan. “They’re a good team and I’ve got a few guys I know on that team. So all my focus is on beating them, and then we’ve got a short week next week and worry about that. And then bowl prep and go from there.”

The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Entringer didn’t become a full-time starter until this season, which is his fourth year in the program.

He started to play a more significant role last season, and then solidified his role as a starter this past spring.

Entringer has been ascending ever since, including being named one of Iowa’s four team captains for each game so far this season.

He also was picked by his teammates to represent Iowa at Big Ten Media Day this past July in Las Vegas, despite having only started one game at the time.

If Entringer were to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, Iowa would be losing three starters in its secondary with free safety Xavier Nwankpa and cornerback TJ Hall both seniors.

Iowa has lost two straight games to Oregon and USC and is 6-4 overall heading into Saturday’s game against the Spartans, who are winless  (0-7) in Big Ten play.

Iowa’s four losses to Iowa State (16-13), Indiana (20-15), Oregon (18-16) and USC (26-21) have come by a combined 15 points.

Iowa State, Indiana and Oregon were also held to a season low for points.

But despite all the heartbreak and frustration, and despite failing to stay in the playoff hunt, Entringer spoke positively about his experience this season.

“Obviously, I’m playing more, too, so obviously that’s probably part of it,” said Entringer, who ranks third on the team with 58 tackles this season.

Entringer was a member of Iowa’s 2022 recruiting class, along with both Nwankpa and Hall.

However, Nwankpa and Hall both played as true freshmen throughout the 2022 season, while Entringer only appeared in four games, which allowed him to redshirt.

“We all grew up together, so it’s just been fun. It’s a full-circle moment,” Entringer said. “It really does feel like high school.

“You know it’s cliche, the guys come in and they tell you it goes by fast, but it really does. So I’m just excited just to cherish this moment with them one more time.”

Iowa has a long and distinguished list of defensive backs under defensive coordinator Phil Parker who have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL.

Entringer is perhaps ready to try and join that list.