A glimpse of what might have been…
Will Pauling and Luke Fickell shared a strong connection. Fickell initially recruited Pauling to Cincinnati, and when he took the head coaching job at Wisconsin, Pauling followed him through the transfer portal. In his first year as a Badger, Pauling lit it up — leading the team with 74 receptions and 837 yards. He was electric, poised for a massive junior campaign.
But Wisconsin’s offense fizzled. Whether it was Phil Longo’s system, Braedyn Locke at quarterback, or a messy mix of both, the spark never caught. The offense stalled, and Pauling decided it was time for a change — to part ways with Fickell, chase a championship, and reclaim his momentum.
At season’s end, Pauling hit the portal and found a new home with Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. Freeman, to put it mildly, is thrilled to have him — and for Wisconsin fans, it’s a stinging reminder of the star receiver they could’ve had lighting up Camp Randall this fall.
On3 Insider: Marcus Freeman Calls Will Pauling a “Culture-Changing” Talent
On3’s Tyler Horka recently shared insights into Will Pauling’s transition to Notre Dame, and while much of the content is behind a paywall, one standout quote from Marcus Freeman says it all:
“He practices at a different pace and a different effort level than what I’d seen in the past… And he’s a playmaker.”
— Marcus Freeman
That one line from Freeman hits home for Wisconsin fans. Pauling was supposed to be the guy — a record-breaking wideout ready to explode in 2024. But thanks to an underwhelming offense, shaky coordination under Phil Longo, and a quarterback situation that never quite clicked, Pauling took his talents elsewhere.
His exit stings even more now. Not just because he’s gone, but because it’s a sobering reminder of what should have been: Pauling, Fickell, and a high-flying Badgers offense lighting up Saturdays. Instead, we’re left watching a potential star thrive under Marcus Freeman — and wondering what if.
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