California's football program has secured a notable achievement with two of its senior wide receivers, Chase Hendricks and Ian Strong, being named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List. This award highlights the standout receivers in college football, and Cal is among just 10 FBS schools to have multiple players recognized. Both Hendricks and Strong transferred to Cal earlier this year and participated in spring practices. Their previous performances have earned them this prestigious recognition, which measures actual performance over potential.

By the Numbers
  • Chase Hendricks recorded 1,037 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season.
  • Ian Strong had 762 receiving yards on 52 receptions, with five touchdowns in 2025.
Yes, But

While both players have shown impressive statistics, their transition to a new program and the ability to maintain or exceed previous performance levels remains uncertain.

State of Play
  • Cal is positioned as one of the top 10 schools with multiple players on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
  • The Biletnikoff Award will select recipients based on current performance metrics throughout the season, allowing for new contenders to emerge.
What's Next

As the season progresses, both Hendricks and Strong will be evaluated on their in-game contributions, with potential updates to the watch list based on their performance metrics.

Bottom Line

Hendricks and Strong鈥檚 recognition on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List emphasizes their past success and sets high expectations for their upcoming season at Cal, potentially influencing their NFL prospects.