A 15-month recruitment dead-time cost the College Football Freshman Class 2022 important evaluation time. Class recruitment was hit harder than any other group.
It made for a wild last half of 2021. The high school seniors and college coaches were speed dating.
Koen Entringer served as a great situational example. The Walled Lake (MI) High defensive lineman made a verbal commitment for Central Michigan last June, the first month after the dead streak ended.
A sensational senior season then caught the attention of the big schools. From November 8 through December 6, Notre Dame, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Utah, Maryland, Colorado, Vanderbilt and Boston College expanded scholarship offerings.
Entringer was released from Central Michigan on November 10. He officially attended Iowa, Wisconsin and Boston College. On December 15, he signed with the Hawkeyes.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder arrives in Iowa June 9, ending a wild 12-month journey to his college home.
“I think it’s like an itchy feeling,” Entringer told HN. “Personally, I’m really looking forward to moving in, going to work and learning as much as possible. And I love football so I’m looking forward to starting summer training and getting my helmet back on.”
Entringer feels prepared for what awaits him at the next level after working on strength and conditioning with defensive back coach Raymon Taylor Sr. and Dan Roth.
“We spent a lot of time working on my reading steps, working on the press, shooting my hands and pedal, opening my hips and improving game recognition. I’ve also done my fair share of 1v1s with some guys who also go to play college football,” Entringer said of his training with Taylor Sr.
“And from a strength and forgiveness standpoint, I trained with (Roth) and he pushed me to my limits. So I think I’ve prepared pretty well. But at the end of the day I know it’s gonna be tough. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do my best and help the team in the best possible way.”
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Entringer will join an experienced secondary that also includes cornerback Riley Moss, the Big Ten’s Defensive Back of the Year 21.
“My mindset is to soak up as much knowledge as possible and compete. There is definitely a lot to learn. I am blessed to have one of the best, if not the best, defensive back coaches (Phil Parker) in college football. not to mention being on the same team as the Big Ten DB of the Year,” Entringer said.
“So there’s a lot to learn from people with great resumes like this. I’ll just give my full effort because that’s what got me into the position I’m in now.”
Entringer doesn’t focus on how much he plays as a true novice.
“My goal is to give 200 percent every day in everything I do. As long as I do that, I think whenever my name is called, that will prepare me best for it,” he said.
Entringer watched an Iowa feature film on Face Time with his true newbie, Xavier Nwankpa. Nwankpa enrolled in Iowa in January.
“At least the coverages we discussed are coverages that I have either played before or are very familiar with. said Entringer.
He has developed good relationships with members of his Hawkeye recruiting class.
“Me and Xavier talk a lot and I’ve trained with Shaun (Deshaun Lee) a few times because we both have the same DB coach,” Entringer said.
“With the DBs in my class, I think the goal we all want to achieve is to be great.”
Entringer was named a first-team all-state as a senior. He averaged 21 88.0 total tackles (3.0 for losses) with 11 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one interception. As a receiver, he registered 444 yards and six touchdowns.
