PISCATAWAY, N.J. – This Thursday against Ohio at SHI Stadium, WR Ian Strong is just looking forward to taking the field with his teammates by his side.

"I cannot wait for all of us to be out there together," Strong said. "We worked so hard in training camp, and we cannot wait to show all of that hard work Thursday night under the lights."

Strong had a breakout season last fall, finishing with 43 receptions for 676 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. Strong scored a receiving touchdown in four straight games – the first Scarlet Knight to achieve the feat since 2010 – and finished 10th in the conference with 15.72 yards per reception. His play landed him honorable mention All-Big Ten.

The success of his sophomore campaign earned him recognition ahead of this season, as Athlon Sports named him to its preseason All-Big Ten team.

While the recognition is appreciated, Strong said he is more concerned about the team's overall success than individual accolades. That begins with Strong serving in a leadership role within the locker room.

"Coach Schiano really emphasized our team buying into the program culture and stressed for the older guys to bring the young guys along," Strong said. "Everyone has bought in, so I can't wait to see the positives that come with that buy in."

Now a junior, Strong is the most tenured receiver in terms of games played at Rutgers (25) on the roster. With eight wideouts listed as either freshmen or sophomores, his mentorship is a huge asset for the program.

"Coming in as a freshman, you need people that you can count on and people to call," Strong said. "Any time one of those guys calls me or asks for help – whether it be with succeeding in the classroom or trying to get extra reps in – I'm going to be there for them."

One of those underclassmen is KJ Duff, who also emerged as a reliable target in 2024. Duff finished his rookie campaign with 27 receptions for 425 yards and a touchdown, finishing fourth in the league among true freshmen in receiving yards.

Partnering with one another was something Duff and Strong always spoke about since they were teammates at St. Anthony's High School on Long Island. The duo helped the Friars to an 11-1 record and a NYCHSFL Championship in 2022, combining for 22 touchdown receptions in Strong's final high school season.

Now both meaningful contributors to RU's offense, Strong is grateful Duff joined him in Piscataway.

"We always just wanted to get our name out there and show people what we are made of," Strong said. "I felt like we both did that our senior years, and I feel like we both want to push each other to be better. He's like my brother. Everyone always sees us together, so it's good to have someone like that who can pick you up and push you."



One player who has benefited most from Duff and Strong's emergence is quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Now in his second season as the team's starting signal caller, Kaliakmanis completed 213-of-395 passes for 2,696 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024. His throwing yards were the most for a RU passer since 2014 and helped the Antioch, Illinois, native, on this year's Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list.

All five of Strong's touchdown receptions last year came on red zone targets – plays that involve trust between a quarterback and his intended target. Strong believes his chemistry with Kaliakmanis has improved even more throughout training camp.

"We just wanted to work on our connection and continue to get better and better," Strong said. "It's something we wanted to get better this summer. His confidence is through the roof, and we're all working together to make our offense better."

Kaliakmanis echoed Strong's opinion on their improved chemistry.

"[Ian] and [KJ] are two of the hardest-working receivers I've ever been around," Kaliakmanis said. "For them to be as talented as they are and to work as hard as they do is incredible."

Rutgers will lean on veterans like Strong to continue the offense's growth. The unit averaged 28.9 points per game last fall, the team's best mark in the Big Ten era and most since 2008.

Strong knows what it takes to keep that momentum going.

"We just want to go out there and play hard," Strong said. "It's all about chopping the moment and focusing on the task at hand. We just have to trust our training and execute everything we do."

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