Ian Strong

NFL Draft Profile: Ian Strong

Position: Wide Receiver | School: Rutgers | Class: Junior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 211 lbs | Archetype: Physical / Deep Threat

College Career Summary

Ian Strong has steadily climbed the ranks of the Big Ten to become one of the conference's most feared perimeter threats. A Long Island native, Strong made an immediate splash as a true freshman in 2023 with a touchdown in his debut. By 2024, he became a household name for the Scarlet Knights, leading the team in touchdowns and earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors.

In 2025, Strong solidified his status as a "Sunday player." Despite inconsistent quarterback play at times, he served as the undisputed WR1 in Piscataway. Strong’s season was defined by his dominance in the red zone and his ability to win contested "50/50" balls. He finished the season with 52 receptions for 762 yards and 5 touchdowns, proving that his physical tools and reliable hands are among the best in the 2026 draft class.

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 111 | Total Receiving Yards: 1,668 | TDs: 12

• 2025 Regular Season Stats: 52 Rec, 762 Yds, 5 TD

• Efficiency: Averaged 14.7 yards per catch in 2025; all 5 TDs in 2024 came in the red zone, a trend that continued into his junior year.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Ohio	7 / 100 / 0	A-	High-volume debut; showed elite sideline awareness.
2	vs Miami (OH)	9 / 116 / 2	A+	The Apex. Total red-zone dominance; unguardable 1-on-1.
4	vs Iowa	8 / 151 / 0	A	Massive yardage against a top-tier disciplined secondary.
5	@ Minnesota	5 / 46 / 0	B-	Smothered by safety help; worked hard for every yard.
7	@ Washington	7 / 124 / 0	A-	Proved his deep speed travels; multiple 20+ yard catches.
8	vs Oregon	1 / 6 / 0	D	Worst Game. Completely erased by elite corner play.
10	@ Illinois	6 / 85 / 0	B+	Physical mismatch; converted three crucial 3rd downs.
11	vs Maryland	5 / 88 / 3	A+	Hat Trick. Career-high 3 TDs; bullied DBs in the air.
13	@ Ohio State	1 / 9 / 0	C-	Limited by pressure on the QB; isolated on the perimeter.
14	vs Penn State	3 / 37 / 0	C+	Hard-fought yardage; passing game struggled overall.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Leadership: Elite. Voted to leadership council; praised for mentoring younger WRs like KJ Duff.

• Mental Toughness: High; thrives in the "New Jersey weather" and physical Big Ten environments.

• Competitor: A "dog" on the field who relishes physical contact and blocking duties.

• Team Player: Credits his "chopping" culture and teammates in every post-game interview.

• Star Power: The go-to target; his presence dictates safety help on every snap.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Height/Weight: 6'3", 211 lbs. (Exceeds 6'0"/200lb targets; elite NFL frame).

• Stamina: High; Rutgers frequently asks him to stay on the field for long, run-heavy drives.

• Durability: Played through minor knocks in 2024; finished 2025 largely healthy.

• Injury History: Underwent undisclosed offseason surgery (2025); returned 100% for Week 1.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Catching: Elite. Huge catch radius; rarely lets the ball into his chest.

• Route Running: Solid for a big man; uses his body to "box out" defenders like a basketball player.

• Body Control: Exceptional; specialized in high-pointing and keeping toes in bounds.

• Separation: Wins through frame and strength rather than pure "twitch."

• Release: Strong; uses a "rip" or "shove" to clear press coverage immediately.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Speed: 4.51 (Estimated). Good long speed but won't outrun elite NFL "burners."

• Agility: Above average for his size; fluid enough to run sharp slants and digs.

• Jumping: Elite. Natural vertical leaper; wins almost every high-point situation.

• Acceleration: Long-strider; takes a few steps to reach top speed but covers ground fast.

• Break Tackle: Strength. A nightmare to bring down in the open field; runs through arms.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Awareness: High; understands defensive leverage and knows how to shield DBs from the ball.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Protypical NFL "X" receiver size and physicality; elite red-zone target (red-zone specialist); massive catch radius; dominant contested-catch ability; high-level blocker in the run game.

• Weaknesses: Lacks "scary" vertical speed; lateral quickness is average; can sometimes be over-reliant on his size rather than precise route stems.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal X-Receiver in a Pro-Style or Power-Spread offense that values physical boundary wins (e.g., Lions, Eagles, Seahawks).

• NFL Comparison: Drake London / Courtland Sutton.

Scout's Final Word

"Ian Strong is a 'bully' in a jersey. In an era where receivers are getting smaller and faster, Strong brings old-school physicality back to the boundary. His 2025 tape against Iowa and Maryland is essentially an NFL audition. He is a quarterback's best friend because he transforms 'covered' players into 'open' ones simply by being larger and stronger than the guy across from him. Projected: Round 4."