Will Pauling News, Rumors, Updates - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Rebounds against BC Pauling collected 73 receiving yards on four catches and a touchdown plus he had the most targets with seven for Notre Dame in the 25-10 win over Boston College on Saturday.

Impact Pauling only had 16 receiving yards the previous week against USC. It was the second best showing this season for Pauling after he caught 105 yards on four catches against North Carolina State on Oct. 11. Pauling gets a good shot of adding to his season against Navy on Saturday, Oct. 8. The Midshipmen's defense against the pass is in the bottom quarter of nation.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Career best in victory Pauling caught four passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Notre Dame 36-7 win over North Carolina State on Saturday.

Impact The reception numbers are not only his top yardage in a game this season, but for his career. The Wisconsin transfer had been relatively quiet until the last few weeks. His career best came with the Badgers in 2023 with 694 receiving yards on 66 catches. The senior will have to have a great second half of the season to match that season. Pauling has 243 receiving yards on 13 receptions in the first six games for the Irish. Notre Dame takes on USC on Oct. 18. The senior could have a great chance for putting up some good numbers against the Trojans whose pass defense is in the bottom quarter of the country.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

First TD for ND Pauling collected 53 yards on three catches that included a 23-yard touchdown reception in Notre Dame's 56-13 win over Arkansas on Sept. 27.

Impact Pauling's second quarter touchdown catch was the first for the Irish since he transferred from Wisconsin this past offseason. The senior will have plenty of opportunities the rest of the season to get back to the end zone. The Notre Dame schedule for the rest of the 2025 regular season is relatively weak that includes the pass defenses that they will face. The Irish take on Boise State on Saturday. The Broncos are rated 40th in pass defense in the nation; but outside of South Florida in the opener, Boise State's schedule has been weak.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Co-starter for slot role Pauling is listed as a co-starter for the Fighting Irish's upcoming game Sunday at Miami, Tyler Horka of On3 reports.

Impact For the Fighting Irish's slot role, their depth chart includes co-starters in Pauling and Jaden Greathouse. Though a newcomer to the Notre Dame offense, Pauling provides proven experience, having logged over 1,000 receiving yards and almost touchdowns between his 2023 and 2024 Wisconsin seasons.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

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AUGUST 19 • Associated Press

Returns to practice in camp Pauling (foot) has been participating in camp ahead of the start of the 2025 season, according to Michael Clubb of The South Bend Tribune.

Impact Pauling managed to suit up in the spring and now he's ready to go after leaving a stress fracture behind, meaning the senior wideout should be an option in the passing game for the Fighting Irish. Pauling transferred to Notre Dame from Wisconsin, where he logged 42 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games in 2024.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Dressed for spring game Pauling (foot) is in uniform ahead of Notre Dame's spring game Saturday, Mike Berardino of the South Bend Tribune reports.

Impact Pauling had been recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, though it appears he'll be healthy enough to play in Saturday's spring game. Pauling transferred to Notre Dame from Wisconsin, where he logged 42 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

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APRIL 5 • KANSASCITY.COM

Recovering from stress fracture Pauling (foot) is recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, per Mike Berardino of the South Bend Tribune.

Impact Pauling has reportedly been in recovery for four weeks from the stress fracture. The redshirt junior receiver caught 42 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns for Wisconsin before transferring to Notre Dame in the off-season. It remains to be seen how long Pauling will continue to be sidelined with the injury.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Notre Dame Lands Transfer Wide Receiver Will Pauling Notre Dame has landed a commitment from Wisconsin transfer wide receiver Will Pauling.

DECEMBER 25, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Commits to Notre Dame Pauling will play for Notre Dame in 2025, he announced Tuesday on his personal X page.

Impact Pauling, a coveted slot wide receiver, has found a new home after entering the transfer portal this offseason. The senior wideout accumulated 1,244 receiving yards and nine touchdowns across two seasons with Wisconsin and has one year of eligibility remaining.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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