By Pat Harty

When it was announced that graduate center Logan Jones, graduate defensive end Ethan Hurkett and junior safety Koen Entringer would represent the Iowa football team at the annual Big Ten Media Day event, my first reaction was to question why Entringer was picked over senior safety Xavier Nwankpa.

And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who asked that question, considering Nwanpka, a former five-star recruit, is on the verge of being a three-year starter while Entringer has only made one start as a Hawkeye.

Kirk Ferentz usually rewards veteran players that have stayed the course and who have delivered on the field.

But as the head Hawk pointed out to the media on Thursday in Las Vegas, he doesn’t pick the players who attend Big Ten Media Day.

That responsibility falls to the player-led Iowa Leadership Group, and according to Kirk Ferentz, they made an exception by picking Entringer despite his smaller body of work.

“We let our leadership vote on that,” Kirk Ferentz said. “I’ve learned a few things over the years. It used to be the coaches and players. But I’ve basically just thrown it to our leadership group and let them select who they want to represent them.

“There’s no hidden messages or it doesn’t mean that anybody is in the dog house. It’s just that’s who the guys voted for, and I think it speaks to Koen in particular who he is. He’s just a guy that has impressed everybody in the program. He’s got a great attitude, great work ethic.”

Okay. Fair enough.

Kirk Ferentz’s explanation certainly makes sense.

A narrative has been growing this summer that the 6-foot, 207-pound Entringer, who is listed as the starter at strong safety, might be poised to have a breakthrough season. The Michigan native appeared in 12 games last season and finished with 18 tackles, one interception and one pass break-up.

Entringer is now fully healthy after having been hobbled by a leg injury and he now finally sits on top of the depth chart.

Entringer appeared on the Big Ten Network on Thursday alongside Hurkett and Jones, and Entringer was asked what it meant to be representing the Hawkeyes at Big Ten Media Day.

“It’s surreal, honestly,” Entringer said. “These guys right here I look up to them every single day in the locker room and sharing the stage with them is truly a blessing from God. And this is a message for everybody if you just believe in God and trust in him and trust in his ever-so-perfect plan for you everything is just going to come together.

“So, I’m just grateful honestly.”

Entringer impressed Kirk Ferentz with how he dealt with his injury as Entringer showed toughness and determination in his battle to get healthy again.

“I’ve seen him fight through a tough injury, a significant injury and he did it in record time,” Kirk Ferentz said. “So I think we’re all optimistic that he will play real well for us this year. He hasn’t played a lot, but I think he’s capable of playing great. But he just a great leader and a great young man.”

So far, Entringer is known mostly for his incredible hustle play on a punt return by Michigan in the 2023 Big Ten Championship game.

After missing the initial tackle right after the punt returner had made the catch, Entringer got back up on his feet and then raced past multiple players from both teams before making a touchdown-saving tackle near the end zone.

As for the 6-2, 215-pound Nwankpa, he gives Iowa one of the most experienced defensive backs in the country. He can play both safety positions and was listed as the starter at free safety throughout spring practice.

Nwankpa enters his senior season with 95 career tackles, two interceptions and four pass break-ups.

He came to Iowa after a standout career at Southeast Polk, and as a five-star recruit, he also came with lofty expectations.

Nwankpa has yet to achieve stardom, but he has been a solid and consistent contributor as a Hawkeye.

He got beat on a few pass plays last season, but that’s part of the growing process.

Iowa could certainly do a lot worse than having Xavier Nwankpa as one of its starting safeties.

If he and Entringer can both stay healthy, then Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who also coaches the defensive backs, might have another dynamic duo at the safety positions.

And if by chance Nwankpa is motivated by not being picked to represent Iowa at Big Ten Media Day, that could be beneficial to him and to his team in the long run.