Tag: Will Pauling

Wisconsin top wide receiver enters NCAA transfer portal

Big news for the Badgers as a top receiver departs

Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.

He is the program’s 18th scholarship player to enter since the portal opened on Dec. 9. He is easily one of the highest-impact departures, having led Wisconsin in receiving the last two seasons with a combined 116 catches, 1,244 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Pauling transferred into the program before the 2023 campaign after two seasons at Cincinnati. He was one of several Bearcats to follow coach Luke Fickell after he took over in Wisconsin.

Pauling caught 13 passes for 128 yards in his two seasons at Cincinnati. His breakout came as the Badgers’ top wideout in 2023, tallying 74 catches for 837 yards and six touchdowns. He was a tailored fit in Phil Longo’s air raid offense and quickly became quarterback Tanner Mordecai’s go-to target.

The veteran’s 2024 campaign was not as smooth. He missed several games with an injury and played through various ailments in the season’s final weeks. His year-to-year production was cut in half as a result. The team’s inconsistent quarterback play also contributed to the decline.

Pauling enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.

His move follows the Badgers’ string of portal additions. The two most noteworthy are quarterbacks Billy Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil, who project to enter 2025 as the team’s starter and backup, respectively.

Wisconsin has yet to make any transfer additions at wide receiver this offseason. The position is now a pressing need with both Pauling and C.J. Williams entering the portal.

For more on Wisconsin’s targets at the position, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

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Wisconsin vs. Minnesota injury report: Badgers getting star player back for Week 14 rivalry matchup

All the latest updates and news on Wisconsin’s injury report ahead of a Week 14 game vs. Minnesota.

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) and Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) are less than 90 minutes from kickoff for their Week 14 rivalry matchup.

Kickoff at Camp Randall Stadium is scheduled for noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Related: Badgers Wire staff predictions for Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

Wisconsin released its final injury report leading up to the contest. Of note, the Badgers are getting star safety Hunter Wohler back for the first time in two weeks. Leading wide receiver Will Pauling is also listed as ‘questionable’ after missing the team’s Week 13 game at Nebraska.

Here is the full injury report from both Wisconsin and Minnesota entering the important rivalry matchup. Several notable Badger starters are listed as ‘questionable.’

Wisconsin injury report

OUT: RB Chez Mellusi, QB Tyler Van Dyke, WR Joseph Griffin Jr., S Kamo’i Latu, QB Cole LaCrue, S Owen Arnett, LB Tamer Dalloul, OT Evan Brown, OL Leyton Nelson, TE Rob Booker

QUESTIONABLE: LB Jake Chaney, WR Will Pauling, LB Jaheim Thomas, TE Tucker Ashcraft, DL James Thompson Jr., DL Elijah Hills

Minnesota injury report

OUT: DB Aidan Gousby, DB Darius Green, TE Pierce Walsh

QUESTIONABLE: OL Tyler Cooper

Wisconsin S Hunter Wohler injury update

Wohler is off the injury report after missing the Badgers’ Week 13 game with an injury.

Wisconsin WR Will Pauling injury update

Pauling is ‘questionable’ after missing last week’s contest. He left the Badgers’ Week 12 game against Oregon with a lower-body injury.

Wisconsin DL James Thompson Jr. injury update

James Thompson Jr. made his season debut during Wisconsin’s Week 13 loss to Nebraska. He is ‘questionable’ vs. Minnesota though is expected to return to the field.

Wisconsin LB Jake Chaney injury update

Jake Chaney left the Badgers’ Week 13 game vs. Nebraska with an injury. He’s ‘questionable’ against the Gophers.

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Wisconsin vs Nebraska injury report: Badgers without two star players vs. Cornhuskers

Wisconsin vs Nebraska injury report: Badgers without two star players vs. Cornhuskers

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will be without two of their star players when they battles Nebraska (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday.

Those are safety Hunter Wohler and wide receiver Will Pauling. Both left the second half of the team’s Week 12 loss to Oregon with injuries. Neither was ready to return for Saturday’s matchup.

Wohler leads Wisconsin in tackles (63) and pass deflections (six) through 12 games. He’s arguably the team’s most important player on either side of the football. Pauling, meanwhile, is second on the team in receiving yards (407) and leads in receiving touchdowns (three).

In other recent news, Nebraska will be without starting cornerback Tommi Hill against Wisconsin. The veteran had been battling a foot injury since the start of the season. Rhule announced this week that he’d miss the team’s final two regular season games.

As Wisconsin and Nebraska near kickoff, here are the official injury reports from each team:

Wisconsin injury report

OUT: S Hunter Wohler, WR Will Pauling, RB Chez Mellusi (for season), QB Tyler Van Dyke (for season), WR Joseph Griffin (for season), S Kamo’i Latu, QB Cole LaCrue, OL Evan Brown, OL Leyton Nelson, TE Rob Booker

QUESTIONABLE: DL James Thompson Jr., LB Jaheim Thomas

Nebraska injury report

OUT: CB Tommi Hill, K Tristan Alvano, OL Turner Corcoran, OT Tyler Knaack

QUESTIONABLE: RB Rahmir Johnson, OL Micah Mazzccua

Hunter Wohler injury update

Wohler left the end of Wisconsin’s narrow loss to Oregon with an injury after a tough collision. He went straight into the locker room, indicating the injury was serious. He is out against Nebraska.

Will Pauling injury update

Pauling exited during the second half of Wisconsin’s loss to Oregon. He was a key factor of the Badgers’ win over Nebraska in 2023. His absence is a big loss on an offense that needs a spark.

James Thompson Jr. injury update

James Thompson Jr. suffered a significant upper-body injury during training camp. He’s been listed as ‘out’ all season leading up to this week. The top lineman is now ‘questionable’ against Nebraska.

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Wisconsin vs. Northwestern injury report: Wildcats without starting safety, kicker

All the latest updates and news on Northwestern’s injury report ahead of a Week 8 game vs. Wisconsin:

The Wisconsin Badgers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) and Northwestern Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) are now just over one hour from kickoff of their Week 8 Big Ten matchup.

The contest is set to begin at noon ET, 11 a.m. at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern has released its final injury status report with those minutes continuing to count down before kickoff.

Related: Wisconsin at Northwestern: TV channel, radio station, matchup preview and betting line for Saturday’s game

The Wildcats will be without starting kicker Jack Olsen and starting safety Devin Turner, among others. The only player listed as ‘questionable’ is starting right guard Josh Thompson.

The Badgers, meanwhile, will be without starting wide receiver Bryson Green for the second consecutive week. Other players listed as ‘out’ include S Kamo’i Latu, WR Tyrell Henry, TE J.T. Seagraves, OL Leyton Nelson and DL James Thompson Jr. There are no players listed as questionable

Here is the full injury report entering Saturday’s Week 8 game between Wisconsin and Northwestern:

Northwestern injury report

  • Questionable: Josh Thompson
  • Out: Devin Turner, Brendan Flakes, Caleb Komolafe, Matt Keeler, Jack Olsen, Jack Bailey (season)

Wisconsin injury report

  • Questionable: None
  • Out: Chez Mellusi, Tyler Van Dyke, Bryson Green, Joseph Griffin, Kamo’i Latu, Tyrell Henry, J.T. Seagraves, Tamer Dalloul, Evan Brown, Leyton Nelson, Rob Booker and James Thompson Jr.

Northwestern K Jack Olsen injury update

Olsen missed the Wildcats’ Week 7 win over Maryland (lower-body injury). He remains out for Saturday’s contest. Punter Luke Akers is likely to fill in after going 3/3 on field goals and 4/4 on extra points in the win over Maryland.

Northwestern S Devin Turner injury update

Turner exited Northwestern’s Week 7 win over Maryland with an injury. He is out for Saturday’s game against Wisconsin, leaving Northwestern somewhat thin in the secondary.

Wisconsin WR Will Pauling injury update

Pauling left Wisconsin’s 42-7 win over Rutgers with an upper-body injury. Luke Fickell noted earlier this week that the injury was not a concussion. The star receiver is available against Northwestern.

Badgers starting WR Bryson Green, on the other hand, is out for a second consecutive game. C.J. Williams will likely see increased snaps in his absence.

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Wisconsin vs. Northwestern injury report: Badgers without starting wide receiver

All the latest updates and news on Wisconsin’s injury report ahead of a Week 8 game vs. Northwestern

This story was updated to add new information.

The Wisconsin Badgers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) continue their 2024 season on Saturday afternoon with a road matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten).

Wisconsin has released its final injury status report with less than two hours remaining before the noon ET, 11 a.m. CT kickoff at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.

Related: Wisconsin at Northwestern: TV channel, radio station, matchup preview and betting line for Saturday’s game

The Badgers will be without starting wide receiver Bryson Green for the second consecutive week. Other players listed as ‘out’ include S Kamo’i Latu, WR Tyrell Henry, TE J.T. Seagraves, OL Leyton Nelson and DL James Thompson Jr. There are no players listed as questionable

Northwestern, meanwhile, will be without kicker Jack Olsen and starting safety Devin Turner, among others.

Here is the full injury report entering Saturday’s Week 8 game between Wisconsin and Northwestern:

Wisconsin injury report

  • Questionable: None
  • Out: Chez Mellusi, Tyler Van Dyke, Bryson Green, Joseph Griffin, Kamo’i Latu, Tyrell Henry, J.T. Seagraves, Tamer Dalloul, Evan Brown, Leyton Nelson, Rob Booker and James Thompson Jr.

Northwestern injury report

  • Questionable: Josh Thompson
  • Out: Devin Turner, Brendan Flakes, Caleb Komolafe, Matt Keeler, Jack Olsen, Jack Bailey (season)

Wisconsin WR Will Pauling injury update

Pauling went down with an upper-body injury during Wisconsin’s 42-7 win over Rutgers. Luke Fickell clarified this week the injury was not a concussion. The star receiver is available against Northwestern.

Northwestern K Jack Olsen injury update

The Wildcats were without Olsen during their Week 7 win over Maryland (lower-body injury). He is also out for Saturday’s contest.

Punter Luke Akers is likely to fill in after going 3/3 on field goals and 4/4 on extra points in Northwestern’s win over Maryland.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell provides injury update on star receiver for game vs. Northwestern

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell provides injury update on star receiver for game vs. Northwestern

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell provided an update on star wide receiver Will Pauling’s injury ahead of the Badgers’ Week 8 game vs. Northwestern.

Pauling, who exited Wisconsin’s Week 7 game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with an upper-body injury, is considered questionable for the Badgers’ upcoming contest.

After reeling in a pass over the middle of the field from quarterback Braedyn Locke in the second quarter, Pauling lowered his head before taking a hard hit from Rutgers linebacker Dariel Djabome. He exited the game after the play and did not return.

Pauling’s afternoon against Rutgers finished with 49 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions.

Fickell noted on Monday that the star pass-catcher did not exit Saturday’s game with a concussion. The official word, again, lists Pauling as ‘questionable’ for Saturday.

In his absence, wide receivers Vinny Anthony II and Trech Kekahuna filled the void on the receiving end. The two speedsters combined for six catches and 120 receiving yards on the afternoon.

Luckily for UW, the team didn’t require a whole lot from its receiving core. Wisconsin running backs Tawee Walker, Cade Yacamelli and Darrion Dupree totaled nearly 300 rushing yards en route to a 42-7 win in New Jersey.

On the season, Pauling is responsible for a team-best 25 catches, 251 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His status is one to monitor before Wisconsin’s upcoming battle in Evanston, Illinois.

Best photos from Wisconsin’s impressive win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Best photos from Wisconsin’s impressive win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Wisconsin Badgers defeated Rutgers 42-7 on Saturday afternoon on the road in Piscataway, New Jersey. The team improved to 6-0 all-time against the Scarlet Knights, while impressively notching its second-straight contest with 40 points and more than 500 total yards.

Running back Tawee Walker had himself a monster day, turning 24 carries into 198 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. It was his third straight multi-score game, as he’s notched eight rushing touchdowns over the last three contests.

As a whole, the Badgers churned out 309 rushing yards in the game, while both quarterback Braedyn Locke and running back Darrion Dupree also scored touchdowns with their legs.

As a passer, Locke completed 20 of 28 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception in the victory. Locke and wide receiver Will Pauling connected on a 16-yard score early in the first quarter, giving the Badgers an early 7-0 lead.

Wisconsin was also dominant on the defensive side of the ball, holding quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to 12 completions on 32 pass attempts for 103 yards and an interception (Preston Zachman, 3rd quarter). Additionally, Rutgers star running back Kyle Monangai was limited to just 72 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

The Badgers will look to make it three wins in a row when they head to Evanston to take on Northwestern in Week 8. In the meantime, here are some of the best photos from Wisconsin’s impressive win:

UPDATE: Wisconsin star WR Will Pauling ruled OUT for remainder of game at Rutgers

UPDATE: Wisconsin star WR Will Pauling ruled out for remainder of game at Rutgers

Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling has been ruled out for the rest of the Badgers game at Rutgers with an upper-body injury.

The star receiver went down right before halftime after taking a hit from Rutgers LB Dariel Djabome. Pauling had just caught a pass over the middle from Badgers QB Braedyn Locke, he then lowered his head before the impact from Djabome’s hit forced a fumble.

The Badgers star caught four passes for 49 receiving yards and a touchdown before the injury. His absence will likely lead to an increased snap and target share for redshirt freshman Trech Kekahuna — as was the case after Pauling left last week’s game with a minor lower-body injury.

https://twitter.com/B5Q/status/1845163677776740492

Wisconsin currently leads Rutgers 21-0 with less than 8:15 remaining in the third quarter. The Badgers started red-hot on offense, highlighted by Pauling’s touchdown pass from Locke. The team has gone cold since then — neither team scored from the start of the second quarter to the Badgers’ touchdown with nine minutes remaining in the third.

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UPDATE: Wisconsin star WR Will Pauling returns to game vs. Purdue after early injury

BREAKING: Wisconsin star WR Will Pauling injures right knee vs. Purdue

This story was updated to add new information.

Wisconsin star receiver Will Pauling injured his right leg early in the second quarter of the Badgers’ Week 6 game against Purdue.

Pauling went down while trying to make a play on a 3rd-down pass from QB Braedyn Locke. The ball was eventually intercepted by Purdue DB Kyndrich Breedlove. Pauling was carried off the field after the turnover, unable to bear much weight on his right leg.

Wisconsin’s wide receiver room took several hits early against Purdue, as veteran Bryson Green also left the game early with a lower-body injury.

Here is the sequence that led to Pauling’s departure:

Pauling emerged from the blue medical tent a short time later and has since been seen riding a stationary bike on the sideline. Big Ten Network reports that he is questionable to return to the game.

Wisconsin currently leads Purdue 14-3 with less than nine minutes left in the first half. The Badgers have 73 passing yards, thanks in large part to a 52-yard touchdown strike from Locke to WR Vinny Anthony.

We will monitor any further updates on the status of Pauling as the game continues. Thus far, he appears to have avoided a significant injury.

UPDATE (1:17 p.m. ET): Will Pauling returned to the game with two minutes remaining before halftime

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USC will need to stop Wisconsin’s star wide receiver

Wisconsin receiver Will Pauling is viewed as the Badgers’ main pass-catching target, and therefore someone USC has to focus on in Week 5.

Locked On Badgers podcast host Ryan Harings joined us on Trojan Conquest live and we asked him about the playmakers on the Wisconsin Badgers team that will test USC’s defense on Saturday. One name which immediately came up: receiver Will Pauling.

“Yeah it’s not a long list unfortunately for Badger fans, but Will Pauling is a guy that you’re absolutely going to see a lot,” Harings explained. “He’s got 29 Targets this year for the Badgers that’s the guy who far and away leads the team in targets.   He leads the team in catches and had 74 receptions last year — really explosive player, North and South. Undersized but tough, physical. He will go over the middle, will take a hit, hold on to the ball, then when he catches it he embodies that Kyle Shanahan type of mentality — get north-south immediately north-south quick.”

Harings continued:

“Bryson Green, the Oklahoma State transfer, is more of our big-bodied guy.  You’re gonna see some of him. A young player that Badger fans are still waiting to break out is Trech Kekahuna. I’m curious, coming out of the bye, if they’re able to get him some looks. Coming into camp this year, a lot of hype (surrounded) the type of guy we’re going to get. He’s going to be explosive. Coming out of the bye that might be something to take a look at.”

Oddlly, Wisconsin has been run-heavy so far under new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who everyone expected would install his air raid offense. The Badgers are averaging over 40 carries per game this year.

“You’re going to see a lot of the running game,” offered Harings about the Badgers’ offensive game plan. “You’re going to see Tawee Walker.  It’s more of a running back by committee though. It’s not that traditional great Wisconsin running back; you’re not going to see a Montee Ball-type talent.  Will Pauling’s the receiver to key on, and then it’s gonna be running back by committee for Wisconsin.”

https://www.youtube.com/live/7redR0k47bk?si=4aPC5jZ5j1QBbq6N&t=1741

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