Iowa’s transfer portal activity this offseason has been a two-way street. While the Hawkeyes have made key additions to bolster their roster for 2026, they’ve also seen several familiar names head out the door. Let’s take a closer look at the outgoing players, where they’ve landed, and what their departures mean for both Iowa and their new programs.
DB Koen Entringer → Louisville
This one turned some heads. Koen Entringer, a team captain and one of the emotional leaders of Iowa’s defense, initially told reporters before the ReliaQuest Bowl that he planned to return for his senior season.
He even weighed entering the NFL Draft. But after some reflection, Entringer opted to take one more lap in college football-just not in Iowa City.
He’s headed to Louisville, choosing the Cardinals over other suitors like West Virginia and Texas Tech. Entringer brings experience and versatility to the ACC.
He started all 13 games at strong safety for Iowa in 2025 and has also seen snaps at the CASH position, a hybrid linebacker/safety role. His stat line at Iowa speaks for itself: 100 tackles (3.5 for loss), an interception, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
He’s also been a steady contributor on special teams.
For Louisville, this is a major pickup. Head coach Jeff Brohm gets a seasoned, physical defensive back who’s battle-tested in the Big Ten. For Iowa, it’s a leadership void that won’t be easy to fill.
DE Brian Allen → Vanderbilt
Brian Allen’s move to Vanderbilt is another eyebrow-raiser. He was expected to be a cornerstone of Iowa’s defensive line next season, especially with Kenneth Merrieweather returning. Instead, Allen enters the SEC, joining a Commodores team he just helped defeat in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
In that game, Allen even sacked Vanderbilt’s then-quarterback Diego Pavia. Now, he’ll be suiting up for the same team.
That’s college football in 2026-fluid, fast-moving, and full of twists. For Vanderbilt, Allen adds a proven edge rusher with Big Ten toughness.
For Iowa, it’s a loss of both depth and upside at a premium position.
P Rhys Dakin → Michigan State
Iowa has long been known for elite special teams play, and punter Rhys Dakin was a big part of that. Now, he’s taking his talents to East Lansing, where he’ll reunite with former Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods, who’s now the associate head coach at Michigan State under Pat Fitzgerald.
Dakin made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2024, averaging 44.1 yards on 64 punts, with nearly half of those landing inside the 20. He followed that up in 2025 with another strong campaign-43.2 yards per punt, including a 65-yarder, and 16 more pinned inside the 20. He’s got two years of eligibility left and should immediately boost Michigan State’s field-position game.
RB Jaziun Patterson → Michigan State
Dakin won’t be the only former Hawkeye in green and white. Running back Jaziun Patterson is also heading to East Lansing. Injuries and a crowded backfield limited Patterson’s role at Iowa, but he still managed 299 rushing yards on 57 carries in 2025-an efficient 5.2 yards per attempt.
Patterson’s mix of power and vision makes him a solid addition to Michigan State’s backfield, which is undergoing a serious overhaul. He’ll be competing with transfers like Cam Spencer (UConn), Marvin Parrish (Western Kentucky), and Carson Gulker (Ferris State) for touches. With a fresh start and a potentially bigger role, Patterson’s best football may still be ahead of him.
RB Terrell Washington Jr. → New Mexico State
Terrell Washington Jr. showed flashes of promise in his time with Iowa, most notably in the Music City Bowl against Missouri. But consistency was hard to come by in 2025. He struggled to find his footing in the run game and eventually fell out of the rotation.
Still, Washington carved out a role on special teams, particularly in the return game. He now heads to New Mexico State, where he’ll have a real shot to contribute immediately. The Aggies ranked dead last in FBS rushing yards per game last season, and Washington brings both speed and experience to a team in desperate need of a spark.
DB Kael Kolarik → South Dakota
Kael Kolarik was close to breaking into the rotation in Iowa’s secondary, but the Hawkeyes’ aggressive pursuit of safeties in the portal this offseason made his path to playing time even tougher. Looking for a bigger opportunity, Kolarik is heading to South Dakota.
In the Missouri Valley, he’ll have a chance to compete for starting reps and possibly make an impact on special teams. It’s a move that makes sense for a player who’s been waiting in the wings and is ready to step into a larger role.
CB Charles Bell → UConn
Charles Bell was part of Iowa’s 2025 recruiting class, but after just one season, he’s heading back to the Northeast to play for UConn. Iowa’s cornerback room is deep and getting deeper, with multiple young talents already on campus and more on the way.
Bell’s transfer is likely about finding a clearer path to the field. At UConn, he’ll have that chance.
QB Jackson Stratton → Undecided
Jackson Stratton’s time at Iowa will be remembered for one thing: stepping up when the Hawkeyes needed him most. Injuries decimated the quarterback room in 2025, and Stratton-originally not expected to see much action-was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
He started two games and won both, going 21-of-35 for 219 yards and a touchdown. Not eye-popping numbers, but he did what Iowa quarterbacks are often asked to do: manage the game, avoid mistakes, and give the defense a chance to win it.
Now, Stratton is looking for a new home. Wherever he lands, he’ll bring experience, poise under pressure, and the kind of intangibles that coaches love.
Final Thoughts
Iowa’s portal departures this offseason reflect the changing landscape of college football. Some players are chasing bigger roles, others are reuniting with familiar coaches, and a few are simply looking for a fresh start.
For the Hawkeyes, it’s about reloading, not rebuilding. But make no mistake-these exits will leave an impact, and how Iowa fills those gaps will go a long way in shaping their 2026 season.