The Badgers still have work to do, most notably at wide receiver and linebacker. But taking a snapshot on Dec. 18, the program appears to be taking strong steps forward entering a pivotal 2025 season. Any finish within the top 10 of the national transfer class rankings could be a strong indicator of success to come.

Pauling came to Wisconsin in 2022 after Luke Fickell took the reins. He had spent the last four years with Fickell, spending his first two years at Cincinnati before joining Fickell in Madison.

It continues to be a glass-half-empty offseason for the Wisconsin football team. A day after landing quarterbacks Billy Edwards and Danny O’Neil from the transfer portal, the Badgers saw starting wide receivers Will Pauling and CJ Williams enter it.