Rutgers may have come up short against Iowa in a Friday night Big Ten battle, but wide receiver Ian Strong was the clear standout performer. The sophomore wideout lit up the Hawkeyes’ secondary with eight catches for 151 yards, averaging nearly 19 yards per reception.
While the Scarlet Knights fell 38-28, Strong’s dominant showing against one of the Big Ten’s most physical defenses turned heads nationwide and even sparked NFL-level praise from fans.
How is Ian Strong Establishing Himself As a Rising Star at Rutgers?
Ian Strong is no stranger to recognition. After being named Rutgers Athletics Sophomore of the Year in 2024, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention, and excelling in the classroom with Academic All-Big Ten honors, the wide receiver has steadily risen as one of the program’s cornerstones.
Though he gets overlooked at times in a deep WR class, Strong is a certified vertical threat at 6’3”, 211 pounds with easy long-strider explosiveness and smooth body control and extension ability. He’s the type of talent who could be unlocked in a more consistent offense.
#Rutgers Ian Strong #CHOP #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/w9tOcwukG5
— Arizona Sports (@AzCardinals1988) September 20, 2025
His ability to create separation and haul in contested catches has made him one of the Big Ten’s most promising receivers, and Friday night may have been his most complete game yet. “Ian Strong will be the biggest riser at WR for the 2026 draft.”
Ian Strong will be the biggest riser at WR for the 2026 draft https://t.co/0QJEMCsiAH
— Fusue (@DevyEusuf) September 20, 2025
The comparison to NFL draft risers is telling. Strong has developed into a true playmaker on the outside. Despite Rutgers’s lack of a long tradition of producing high-profile NFL wideouts, Strong’s trajectory is shifting that narrative. With a 6-foot-3 frame and an expanding route tree, scouts are beginning to take serious notice. “Ian Strong is going to be a problem in the NFL.”
Fan Reactions Fuel NFL Buzz
It’s easy to see why reactions like this are pouring in. Strong shredded Iowa’s coverage all night, whether it was stretching the field vertically or working across the middle. Even without a touchdown against the Hawkeyes, his reliability on third downs and explosive gains highlighted his value.
The attention is not just about Strong, though. His presence has elevated Rutgers’ entire receiving corps, with fans even spotlighting his teammate: “Ian Strong and KJ Duff are both legit NFL WR prospects and I never thought I’d see that out of Rutgers.”
Ian Strong and KJ Duff are both legit NFL WR prospects and I never thought I’d see that out of Rutgers
— Alec Giblin (@AGiblin9) September 20, 2025
This reaction highlights just how far Rutgers has come under Greg Schiano. Once known primarily for a powerhouse defense and a run-heavy approach, the Scarlet Knights are now producing legitimate offensive weapons.
Strong and Duff’s combination of size and skill is something rarely seen in Piscataway, making the program more intriguing to NFL scouts. Still, the spotlight belonged squarely to Strong on Friday. Another fan raved: “Yeah bruh #9 WR for Rutgers, Ian Strong. He’s a NFL player.”
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That simple statement encapsulates what Rutgers fans and, increasingly, outsiders are seeing. Strong is passing the eye test in a way few Scarlet Knight receivers have before him.
His blend of athleticism, consistency, and big-game production is placing him firmly on the national stage. And perhaps the most definitive fan reaction of the night put it bluntly: “Ian Strong is a no doubt NFL talent at WR. Nice to see him impose his will.”
For Rutgers, the loss to Iowa stings. But Strong’s breakout has softened the blow, giving the program a legitimate star who could soon represent the Scarlet Knights. If his current trajectory continues, Ian Strong may not just be Rutgers’ next great receiver; he could be one of the Big Ten’s defining wideouts of this era.
