Ian Strong News, Rumors, Updates - California Golden Bears

Listed as questionable for Saturday Strong has been deemed questionable for Saturday's matchup versus North Carolina State, per the ACC availability report.

Impact There's uncertainty on whether Strong will be able to suit up this weekend, and further clarity should be provided in the coming days depending on his practice status. The wideout has been a key player for the Golden Bears this season, notching 33 catches for 467 yards and a touchdown in seven appearances while averaging 14.2 yards per catch.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Will play versus SMU Strong (undisclosed) will be in uniform for Saturday's matchup versus SMU, per the ACC availability report.

Impact Strong has not only been California's best wide receiver in 2026 but also one of college football's most consistently reliable options this year. He has logged at least seven targets in each of Cal's games, racking up 49 total. By catching 28 of them, Strong also recorded 396 receiving yards, good for 14.1 averaged per catch.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Probable to play in Week 8 Strong (undisclosed) has been upgraded to probable for Saturday's game versus SMU, per the ACC availability report.

Impact Strong went from questionable to probable Friday, meaning he has a good chance of suiting up Saturday. His return would be a big boost for the Golden Bears. Over six games, he has caught 28 passes for 396 yards and one touchdown.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Status in question for Saturday Strong (undisclosed) carries a questionable tag ahead of Saturday's contest versus SMU, per the ACC availability report.

Impact A previous report indicated that head coach Tosh Lupoi is hopeful that Strong will be available Saturday, but the team listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. Still, the wideout has the coming days to recover and upgrade his status. Across six games, he has hauled in 28 receptions for 396 yards and one touchdown.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Status in question for Saturday Strong (undisclosed) carries a questionable tag ahead of Saturday's contest versus SMU, per the ACC availability report.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Head coach hopeful for availability California's head coach Tosh Lupoi is hopeful that Strong (undisclosed) will be fine for the California-SMU game Saturday, Cory Pappas of On3 reports.

Impact Strong did not play Week 7, when California hosted Wake Forest. Considering that the wide receiver has been targeted at least seven times by Cal quarterbacks in each of their team's games this season, his absence was a big deal. Post-game, Lupoi announced that Strong suffered an injury mid-practice but is optimistic that the wide receiver will not miss any more time. That remains to be seen as the Golden Bears prepare to face SMU.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Solid day in win Strong tallied five receptions (on eight targets) for 97 yards during Saturday's 25-20 win against Virginia Tech.

Impact Strong was once again held without a touchdown after scoring his first last week, but the wideout had his best yardage output of the season even with starter Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele out. The receiver will look to stay heavily involved next week against Wake Forest.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Held in check vs. Clemson Strong posted three receptions (on seven targets) for 44 yards during Friday's 24-10 defeat against Clemson.

Impact Strong was held to 50 yards for the second straight game. It was a very forgettable outing from his quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, which certainly contributed to his quieter performance. But even last week, when Sagapolutele tossed for over 400 yards, Strong accounted for just 48 of them. He'll look to play a bigger role in this passing game in Week 5 at UNLV.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet outing again Strong totaled six receptions (on eight targets) for 48 yards during Saturday's 49-7 victory versus Wagner.

Impact Strong didn't need to have a massive day for the Golden Bears to blowout Wagner and put up nearly 50 points. Still, the receiver, one of California's prized transfers, hasn't made a whole lot of noise this season 14 catches for 206 yards through three games is certainly still very solid, but Strong will look to surpass 100 yards and score his first touchdown with the Golden Bears in Week 4 against Clemson.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Held in check by Orange Strong gathered in 3 of 7 targets for 64 yards during Saturday's 21-18 victory over Syracuse.

Impact Strong saw seven targets, once again a big factor in the Golden Bears' passing game. However, he was limited to just the three catches. It was a quiet day for California's offense in general, as quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele was limited to under 200 passing yards for the first time in his career. Strong and the Golden Bears will look for a big day in Week 3 against Wagner.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Leading receiver in loss Strong notched five catches for 94 yards during Saturday's 45-24 defeat against UCLA.

Impact Strong was Cal's top receiver in terms of yards in the Week 1 loss to UCLA, greatly aided by a 49-yard reception. The Rutgers transfer picked up right where he left off after a very strong 2025 campaign in which he reeled in 52 catches for 762 yards and five scores. He should continue to be a big-time threat in this Golden Bears' passing game.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

UCLA opens Bob Chesney era with a 45-24 win over former Pac-12 rival California

Wayne Knight ran for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter following interceptions by Ta’Shawn James and UCLA opened the Bob Chesney era with a 45-24 victory over California

SEPTEMBER 6 • Associated Press

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Here are our predictions for the College Football Playoff, including 12-team bracket, three dark horses and national champion picks.

AUGUST 28 • FOX SPORTS

2026 College Football Playoff Bracket, Dark Horses, National Champion Predictions

Cal One of 10 Schools to Have Two Wide Receivers on Biletnikoff Watch List Ian Strong and Chase Hendricks, two wide receivers who arrived at Cal this past offseason as transfers, are among the 45 college players who...

AUGUST 19 • SI.COM

Cal takes high hopes into Tosh Lupoi regime thanks to the return of QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

The excitement around the Cal program is at its highest level in years with new coach Tosh Lupoi upgrading the roster and QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele back for a second season

AUGUST 18 • Associated Press

What Would Be Considered a Successful Season for Cal's Offense? Cal seems to have sufficient talent at quarterback (Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele), receiver (Ian Strong, Chase Hendricks, Dorian Thomas, Mazon M...

AUGUST 13 • SI.COM

Cal May Have the Best Wide Receiver Duo in the ACC Cal wide receivers Ian Strong and Chase Hendricks each has his own Wikipedia page, which is a measure of fame. But it was in the 2025 opener...

AUGUST 8 • SI.COM

Cal gets ready for 1st season under coach Tosh Lupoi with QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at the helm

There’s plenty of new around the California football program as the Golden Bears get set to open fall camp for the upcoming season

AUGUST 5 • Associated Press

Cal Lands Standout Rutgers Wide Receiver Transfer .Cal has landed an outstanding receiving target for Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele as Rutgers transfer wide receiver Ian Strong has signed with Ca...

JANUARY 6 • SI.COM

Joining Cal Strong has committed to California, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.

Impact Strong has been one of the most explosive and consistent wideouts in college football over the last two seasons, tallying 95 receptions for 1,438 yards and 10 touchdowns during that stretch. He should be a starter and steady contributor for Cal from Day 1.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Going into portal Strong plans to enter the transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.

Impact Strong has been a massive contributor for Rutgers over the past two seasons, totaling 95 receptions for 1,438 yards and 10 touchdowns during that stretch. He set career highs in receptions and receiving yards in 2025. He'll look to play out his final collegiate season elsewhere.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Finishes season with low total Strong compiled three receptions (on six targets) for 37 yards during Saturday's 40-36 defeat against Penn State.

Impact Strong regressed considerably as the season came to a close, registering only four catches for 46 yards over the final two games. Strong's season totals were good, with 52 catches for 752 yards and five touchdowns, but he may utilize his final season of eligibility to maximize his draft potential. That could mean a move to another team, as the loss of Athan Kaliakmanis is a huge hit to the team's assing attack.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Held to one catch in loss Strong gathered in 1 of 2 targets for nine yards during Saturday's 42-9 loss against Ohio State.

Impact A bad showing from Athan Kaliakmanis had a negative effect on his receivers, and Strong's low number was the most noticeable. The 6-3 junior is an NFL-caliber wideout who may make the jump after his junior year, although a final year of eligibility with another team is also a distinct possibility. His future with the Scarlet Knights is unclear, but we'll know more of his intentions after this week's finale against Penn State.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs three TD catches in winn Strong had five receptions (on six targets) for 88 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday's 35-20 victory over Maryland.

Impact Strong took back top honors in the wideout room with a superior performance. KJ Duff has been the recent top producer, but Strong has NFL-caliber skills and should be a top contender for draft consideration once he leaves the program.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Maryland vs. Rutgers Short Highlights 🔥

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

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UCLA opens Bob Chesney era with a 45-24 win over former Pac-12 rival California

2026 College Football Playoff Bracket, Dark Horses, National Champion Predictions

Cal takes high hopes into Tosh Lupoi regime thanks to the return of QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

Cal gets ready for 1st season under coach Tosh Lupoi with QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at the helm

Maryland vs. Rutgers Short Highlights 🔥