Cal Football

Bears Grab Big Portal Target WR Ian Strong

Standout Rutgers receiver brings elite size and athleticism combo to Bears' WR corps
By Jim McGill
January 5, 2026
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Photo by X / Cal Football

The Bears grabbed one of their top targets in the 2026 transfer portal with today’s commitment from Rutgers junior wide receiver Ian Strong‍ today.

The 6-3/210 receiver had 95 catches, 1,438 yards and 10 touchdowns the last two seasons for the Scarlett Knights and was being hotly pursued by Notre Dame before choosing the Bears.

Strong will give the Bears the type of big, athletic target who can catch tough contested balls in traffic or stretch the field they’ve been craving to supplement some of the smaller, shifty slot receiver they have like Jacob De Jesus‍ should he gain the extra year of eligibility he’s seeking and Quaron Adams‍, who came on late in the season for the Bears with more targets and production.

Rated a high 4 star transfer portal player by 247 and the number six wide receiver and number 33 overall portal player, Strong becomes the third portal commitment of the Bears’ 2026 portal class and is most certainly the first of several wide receiver targets expected to be added to the class.

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Cal transfer portal Jacob De Jesus Quaron Adams Ian Strong Football Football Recruiting
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Bears Grab Big Portal Target WR Ian Strong

12,573 Views | 8 Replies | Last: 12 days ago by upsetof86
Big C
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10:12p, 1/5/26

This is awesome! Welcome to the Cal Family, Ian!

GO BEARS!!!
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BearForceOne
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10:40p, 1/5/26
Welcome to Cal, Ian!
We will be hearing a lot of "Touchdown Bears! Ian Strong, from JKS!"

Let's go !!
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osothebear
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11:33p, 1/5/26
most optimism for me since the Cecil Whiteside class.

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GivemTheAxe
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In reply to osothebear • 1:51a, 1/6/26
osothebear said:
most optimism for me since the Cecil Whiteside class.


I was very happy to see that Jacob de Jesus is trying to gain an extra year of eligibility. Where does this stand
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gardenstatebear
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2:00p, 1/6/26
Rutgers fans are trying to figure out why he's transferring to Cal. No doubt the biggest reason is the chance to play with JKS. I don't know, but I doubt Cal's offering much more money than he could get at Rutgers. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he can get a Cal degree if he stays in school!
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pnaidu
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In reply to gardenstatebear • 3:01p, 1/6/26
gardenstatebear said:
Rutgers fans are trying to figure out why he's transferring to Cal. No doubt the biggest reason is the chance to play with JKS. I don't know, but I doubt Cal's offering much more money than he could get at Rutgers. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he can get a Cal degree if he stays in school!

ND fans are crying that he only went to Cal to be WR1, but 2 days ago they were praying for him to go there.

Having JKS is the reason why we are able to do well in the portal, Tosh, the weather, the degree, the proximity to Silicon Valley and the money definitely helps but let's be honest, having the best QB in the nation is the reason why people are coming.
25-20 is the final score... The University of California has won the 85th Big Game!
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PAC-10-BEAR
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In reply to pnaidu • 9:07p, 1/6/26
pnaidu said:
gardenstatebear said:
Rutgers fans are trying to figure out why he's transferring to Cal. No doubt the biggest reason is the chance to play with JKS. I don't know, but I doubt Cal's offering much more money than he could get at Rutgers. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he can get a Cal degree if he stays in school!

ND fans are crying that he only went to Cal to be WR1, but 2 days ago they were praying for him to go there.

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upsetof86
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9:11a, 1/8/26
Wow this dude looks great and the icing is beating out Notre Dumb for him. This offensive player haul so far is impressive. Like to see a couple more OL like everyone else but still early.
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