Cal Football 2026 Wide Receiver Preview: True Talents Abound

JKS has an arsenal now.

Photo Credit: Rob Hwang

Last year was a strange trip. Despite some voiced uncertainty from the fanbase, we did not know we were going into the last year of the Wilcox era, nor did we know what the team had in their true freshman starting quarterback. One quarter into the season opener in Corvallis and it was clear that Cal had a first-rate signal caller who might be something special. Throughout the season we started to feel the dull ache that there were not enough quality pass catchers to indulge his talents. This is not the case less than a week out from the start of the 2026 campaign, as the room is headed by transfers from Rutgers, Ohio, and Oregon.

There is once again a clean slate in terms of offensive coaching. The wideout room is led by 12-season NFL veteran Ike Hilliard, a bright and responsive person who’s made stops as a coach for the Bills, Steelers, Buccaneers, and Commanders, and Falcons as well as his alma mater, Auburn. Hilliard has made no secret of the 2026 offense being nuanced and a tough study. He was also unequivocal that the players were getting it.

Presumed Starters: Ian Strong, Chase Hendricks, Cooper Perry

Ian Strong went into last season at Rutgers ranked the 17th Wideout in the country, and was the sixth-ranked receiver in the transfer portal. For those unfamiliar, the New York native was underrecruited after playing high school ball on Long Island. After breaking out his sophomore year at Rutgers, he drew national attention last year, including The Athletic’s Dane Brugler who called him “arguably the best contested-catch receiver in CFB.” At 6’3”, 210, he represents a big and talented target for JKS. He will be looking to expand his route tree, and separate with burst. He missed a little time during preseason but was back in cleats at full speed before practices were closed to press.

Chase Hendricks made a big impression balling out in a small conference last year, becoming only the fourth receiver in Ohio’s history to crack 1,000 yards. A strong player in the slot, Hendricks can be counted on as a big yards-after-catch playmaker.

Cooper Perry joined the slew of Oregon coaches and players who made the trip down south this offseason, and seems to be taking to the new environment well. During Fall Camp he could often be seen running the role of WR1 for the 2’s and drilling special teams, but he will most likely be the WR3 come Saturday. Perry was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and took limited but impressive snaps as a true freshman at Oregon, recording 10 catches for 25 yards in 12 games. A shifty player after the catch, look for Perry to be deployed in a number of ways.

Rotational Players: Returning Senior Jordan King has been getting noticeable time with the 1’s at camp; do not be surprised to see him taking meaningful snaps this year. Mark Hamper has had a good camp as well; coaches have been looking for more consistency with his hands, and he seems to be moving in the right direction. Kyion Grayes has a similar predicament with less camp chatter. Seniors Quaron Adams and Cole Boscia round out the room.