Wisconsin football appears to have found a new starting quarterback when Billy Edwards Jr. decided to take his talents to Madison via the college football transfer portal.
However, the news of Edwards’ arrival in the program was immediately met with an update about the departures of two of the Badgers’ leading downfield weapons in the 2024 college football season, with wide receivers Will Pauling and CJ Williams, reportedly entering the transfer portal.
Via Jesse Temple of The Athletic:
Wisconsin’s wide receiver room will undergo more change. Will Pauling and CJ Williams to the transfer portal. Pauling caught 42 passes for 407 yards and 3 TDs. Williams had 16 catches for 248 yards and 2 TDs.
In a post on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter), Pauling, a redshirt junior, bid the Badger goodbye with a classy message.
“I want to thank Lake Fickell, my coaches, teammates, and the entire UW academic support staff & community for their support and belief in me. This decision was not easy, and I understand that it may not make sense to everyone. However, I truly believe this is where God is calling me and that I must obey,” Pauling wrote. “I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for all that I accomplished here at UW.”
Pauling started his college football career with the Cincinnati Bearcats before transferring to the Badgers in 2023.
Williams, on the other hand, is a junior as well. He played his first season in college with the USC Trojans in 2022 then transferred to the Badgers in 2023.
At the moment, Wisconsin has a total of 19 outgoing transfers, including quarterbacks Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke.
Social media reactions to Wisconsin football wide receivers entering transfer portal

Here are some of the fan reactions to the transfer portal decisions of Williams and Pauling:
“They were waiting for the camp to drop before announcing”
“Once they saw the Maryland quarterback that transferred in, they got the heck out of there.”
“At this point it’s commercial. These players have absolutely now trust in the coaching or the system. None of the players that have left have gone to great programs. At what point as an athletic director do you question what the reason is?”
“I’m ok with it. Trech [Kekahuna ] was to told he would play. I assumed Pauling would transfer. Williams has has 2 yrs and shown minimal flashes. Next man up. Play Burroughs and get his brother to committ to Wisconsin”
“This is brutal. Fickell guys. Pauling was a guy with a major role.”
“Dang. Hard to get excited for football these days.”

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