Former Badgers WR signs with 49ers as undrafted free agent

Will Pauling landed his first NFL opportunity Sunday night, per Tom Pellisero, signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent after a college career that included a breakout season at Wisconsin.

Pauling made his mark in Madison in 2023, when he emerged as the Badgers’ most productive receiver and finished with 74 catches for 837 yards and six touchdowns. He gave Wisconsin an every-down target who could win underneath and still threaten defenses down the field, providing a steady presence in an offense that leaned heavily on his ability in the slot.

He transferred to Notre Dame for the 2025 season and remained a productive player, catching 26 passes for 381 yards and six scores. The numbers were down from his Wisconsin peak, but Pauling still showed the same knack for finishing drives, matching his 2023 touchdown total on fewer touches.

Pauling’s path underscores how quickly a receiver can turn a high-volume role in Madison into an NFL shot, even without hearing his name called in the draft. For San Francisco, he joins a program known for maximizing skill players in space and with a need for a WR to step up in the slot.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football receiver Will Pauling signs free agent deal 49ers