Will Pauling News, Rumors, Updates - Wisconsin Badgers

Seeks new home Pauling will enter the transfer portal, On3.com reports.

Impact Pauling had a down season in 2024 after breaking out the year prior, his first season in Madison after transferring from Cincinnati. The slot receiver reeled in 42 catches, 407 yards and three touchdowns and suffered from poor quarterback play and an overall anemic offense. He also struggled with drops at times and wasn't the same player who bursted onto the scene in 2023. Pauling will have one year of eligibility remaining, and his departure leaves Trech Kekahuna as the starting slot receiver on the Badgers.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Out for Minnesota game Pauling (undisclosed) is out for Wisconsin's game Friday against Minnesota, per the CBS broadcast.

Impact Wisconsin will have to try to play spoiler with a spoil of their own, not having one of the Badgers' more reliable wideouts this year. He will finish his 2024 regular season with 42 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns, along with a four-yard carry.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Dressed and warming up Pauling (undisclosed) is dressed and warming up for Friday's contest against Minnesota, Zach Heilprin of 1670AM The Zone Madison reports.

Impact Pauling was listed as questionable on the availability report, but it appears the junior wideout is seemingly trending toward playing for the Badgers in the regular-season finale. Pauling enters the day with 42 catches for 407 yards and three touchdowns, and he should claim a healthy role on offense again Saturday if available as expected.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Tabbed as questionable Pauling (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus Minnesota, per the Big Ten availability report.

Impact Pauling was unable to give it a go last week versus Nebraska, but it appears the junior wideout could rejoin the action for Axe Week as the Badgers look to gain bowl eligibility. If he's unable to go, Trech Kekahuna should see added reps in the slot against the Gophers.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. Nebraska Pauling (undisclosed) will not play Saturday against Nebraska.

Impact The Badgers will be without their top receiver Saturday after Pauling suffered an injury last week against Oregon. In 10 games this season, Pauling recorded 42 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns. Vinny Anthony figures to be Wisconsin's number-one option in Pauling's absence.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves Oregon game with injury Pauling (undisclosed) left Wisconsin's near upset over Oregon with an injury and didn't return, per the NBC broadcast.

Impact Pauling had two catches for nine yards and the Badgers' lone touchdown before he was knocked out of the game Saturday night. The star slot receiver was seen on the sideline but didn't re-enter the game. Head coach Luke Fickell didn't provide an update on Pauling in his weekly presser, so it's unclear if he's healthy headed into Week 13 against Nebraska.

NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Catches two passes versus Iowa Pauling hauled in two of seven targets for 17 yards during Saturday's 42-10 defeat against Iowa.

Impact Pauling had his least efficient outing since the Week 5 loss at USC. The slot receiver, who's been the Badgers' WR1 for most of the year, once again struggled to connect with quarterback Braedyn Locke. Since Locke took over as the starting signal-caller Week 5, Pauling has averaged 3.5 receptions (on 7.0 targets) for 34.5 yards per game. Pauling logged a season-high 83 yards when Locke also played during the majority of the Week 3 loss to Alabama, but he's struggled with drops that were not due to his quarterback as of late. He'll look to bounce back after the Badgers' idle week when they welcome No. 1-ranked Oregon to Camp Randall on Saturday, Nov. 16.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Top receiver in down passing game Pauling hauled in five of eight targets for 51 yards during Saturday's 23-3 victory against Northwestern.

Impact Pauling played in full after exiting early with a upper-body injury during last week's win versus Rutgers. The redshirt junior led the Badgers' receiving corps across the board, but this came in a down passing performance for the team's streaking QB Braedyn Locke, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 160 yards. Pauling far and away leads the team in receptions (30) this season, though he hasn't generated many explosive plays, as his longest reception of the season went for 25 yards. Meanwhile, wideouts Vinny Anthony and Trech Kekahuna have come on as the primary downfield threats with 24.2 and 15.5 yards per reception this season, respectively. Pauling's reliability in the short-to-intermediate parts of the field could be crucial as the Badgers look to knock off No. 3 Penn State in Camp Randall this coming Saturday.

OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Not listed on injury report Pauling (upper body) is off Wisconsin's injury report ahead of its clash with Northwestern.

Impact Pauling didn't play in the second half of the Badgers' game against Rutgers last week while being evaluated for concussion. The wideout was questionable all week, but now figures to be good to go. One of quarterback Braedyn Locke's favorite targets, Pauling should resume his role as the top pass-catcher for Wisconsin in Evanston.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids concussion Pauling didn't suffer a concussion against Rutgers and is currently questionable for Northwestern, Evan Flood of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Pauling left the game in Piscataway just before the first half with an apparent upper body injury. He didn't return, but the fact that the wideout didn't suffer a concussion is obviously a great sign for his availability. If Pauling can't go against Northwestern on Saturday, expect Trech Kekahuna's snaps to increase at Wisconsin's slot receiver position.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Braedyn Locke hits Will Pauling on a 16-yard touchdown, giving Wisconsin an early lead vs. Rutgers

OCTOBER 12 • FOX SPORTS

Won't return against Rutgers Pauling has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against Rutgers due to an upper-body injury, Seamus Rohrer of RotoWire.com reports

Impact Pauling was on the receiving end of a hard hit late in the first half and will not return to the contest after suffering an upper-body injury. The wideout caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown before exiting. Trech Kekahuna stands to benefit the most from Pauling's absence. Pauling's next chance to play will come Oct. 19 at Northwester.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to field Pauling (lower body) has returned to the game with just over two minutes to go in the second quarter, Zach Heilprin of 1670AM The Zone Madison reports.

Impact Pauling was sidelined for one drive after suffering an injury earlier in the quarter. He was working on loosening up the injury before coming back in and will need to step up even more with Bryson Green (knee) still yet to return.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves game with injury Pauling is questionable to return to Saturday's game with a lower body injury, Evan Flood of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Pauling was injured after a missed catch in the second quarter and limped into the medical tent. He was then seen trying to loosen up on the sidelines but has yet to reenter the game and is officially questionable to return. Both Pauling and Bryson Green (knee) have left the game, leaving the Badgers without their top two wideouts.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 11 yards in loss Pauling gathered in two catches on seven targets for 11 yards during Saturday's 38-21 defeat to USC.

Impact Pauling logged his fewest receiving yards of any game since transferring to Wisconsin in 2022. The redshirt junior still led the team in targets, but he struggled to connect with quarterback Braedyn Locke, who was making his first start of the year in place of Tyler Van Dyke (knee-ACL). Pauling caught nine of 11 targets for 83 yards and touchdown when Locke played almost the entire game against Alabama two weeks ago, and he was the quarterback's No. 1 target when he started three games last year. This should leave some optimism that Pauling will get back on track during next week's home game versus a 1-3 Purdue squad.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 11 yards in loss Pauling gathered in two catches on seven targets for 11 yards during Saturday's 38-21 defeat to USC.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high nine catches in blowout Pauling hauled in nine of 11 targets for 83 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 42-10 loss versus Alabama.

Impact Pauling buoyed the Badgers' desperate passing offense with backup Braedyn Locke under center, as had to step in early in the first quarter after Tyler Van Dyke was carted off with a lower-body injury. The 5-foot-10 wideout was the Badgers' only player to log more than five targets or four receptions. He also scored the team's lone touchdown with a three-yard scoring reception on fourth down late in the third quarter. One of Pauling' most productive stretches of last season came when Locke was starting from Weeks 8 through 10. Van Dyke is slated to undergo an MRI for what could be a significant injury, With Locke likely steppping in as the starting quarterback moving forward, it's likely that he'll need to rely on Pauling once again for the time being. The Badgers will have a bye week before traveling to USC on Sept. 28.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke connects with Will Pauling for a three-yard touchdown vs. Alabama

SEPTEMBER 14 • FOX SPORTS

Five targets verus South Dakota Pauling reeled in four of five targets for 48 yards during Saturday's 27-13 victory against South Dakota.

Impact Pauling took up a much smaller share of the Badgers' targets after seeing 12 targets Week 1. The 5-foot-10 slot receiver still tied with bigger-bodied starting wideouts C.J. Williams and Bryson Green, as Wisconsin seemed to make a conscious effort to get the ball to its outside pass-catchers more Sautrday. Pauling will likely have to play a big role if the Badgers are able to win as double-digit home underdogs this coming Saturday versus Alabama.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Six catches in season opener Pauling compiled six receptions (on seven targets) for 60 yards during Friday's 28-14 win versus Western Michigan.

Impact Pauling reprised his role as the Badgers' top pass catcher, leading the team in every receiving category. This includes a team-long 17-yard reception when he caught a quick pass on third-and-six before turning upfield to keep this drive going. The Badgers overall passing game still wasn't very crisp, as transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke clearly was not on the same page with his wideouts at multiple times in the game. Nevertheless, Pauling's significant target share and explosiveness after the catch makes him the team's most attractive fantasy option moving forward. He'll look to find the end zone versus South Dakota in Week 2.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in season finale Pauling caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 28-14 victory over Minnesota.

Impact Pauling was previously listed as questionable heading into Saturday after suffering a lower leg injury against Nebraska. Though Wisconsin's leading receiver didn't enjoy the volume he grew accustomed to this season, Pauling managed to find the end zone on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Tanner Mordecai in the second quarter. The redshirt sophomore receiver will now have an opportunity to get to 100 percent ahead of Wisconsin's bowl game.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tanner Moredecai finds Will Pauling for an 11-yard touchdown as Wisconsin ties the game vs. Minnesota

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Iffy against Minnesota Pauling (lower leg) is questionable for Saturday's game versus Minnesota.

Impact Pauling could miss Saturday's contest due to a lower-leg injury he suffered against Nebraska. If Pauling is ruled out, Chimere Dike, Bryson Green (undisclosed) and Skyler Bell are all candidates for increased target shares.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leads receiving effort in comeback Pauling recorded eight receptions (on 11 targets) for 79 yards to go along with an 11-yard carry during Saturday's 24-17 overtime victory against Nebraska.

Impact Pauling once again had to put the Badgers' passing game on his back, as he accounted for the majority of production from quarterback Tanner Mordecai (18-for-28 passing, 160 yards). The redshirt sophomore has been extremely effective at getting open over the middle of the field, yielding 64 receptions for 675 yards and three touchdowns. He also logged double-digit targets for the sixth time in the last seven games during Saturday's comeback win. However, he did appear to go down with a lower-leg injury during the second half that hampered him late in the game. Pauling's availability will be a crucial aspect to monitor heading into next week's regular-season finale against rival Minnesota.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone in loss Pauling hauled in 5 of 16 targets for 51 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 20-14 loss to Indiana.

Impact Pauling's score came on an 18-yard pass from freshman quarterback Braedyn Locke in the third quarter, bringing the Badgers within three points. The sophomore receiver has now scored in three consecutive games while totaling over 50 yards in each of the last five contests. Pauling will hope to continue these streaks next week against Northwestern.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Braedyn Locke hits Will Pauling on a 16-yard touchdown, giving Wisconsin an early lead vs. Rutgers

Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke connects with Will Pauling for a three-yard touchdown vs. Alabama

Tanner Moredecai finds Will Pauling for an 11-yard touchdown as Wisconsin ties the game vs. Minnesota