Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Ex-Wisconsin Badgers transfer wide receiver named team captain for new team

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 6:21 PM ET

While the Wisconsin Badgers are excited about the receivers Billy Edwards Jr. will throw to this season, one of their former wideouts is quickly becoming a favorite on his new team.

Will Pauling transferred to Notre Dame this offseason and drew the praise of head coach Marcus Freeman throughout the offseason.

He backed that up on Monday, with Pauling named as a team captain for the season.

2025 Captain Will Pauling from Chicago, Illinois #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/trNf952E6X
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 18, 2025

It's impressive for a player to transfer into a program and endear himself to his teammates quickly enough to be a team captain before he's even played a game.

Pauling is projected to be a slot receiver in the Fighting Irish offense that has no shortage of weapons but also has yet to name a Week 1 starting quarterback.

At Wisconsin, he led the team with 74 catches and 837 yards in 2023 as a redshirt sophomore, but his production dropped in 2024 as the whole offense struggled.

He's looking for a bounce-back year at Notre Dame with eyes on a College Football Playoff run.

The Badgers are hoping transfer portal additions like Jayden Ballard and Dekel Crowdus, plus a standout freshman like Eugene Hilton can help make up for the loss of Pauling.