Will Pauling is a name Bearcats fans will be hearing very often over the next three/four years. Will Pauling is a 5 foot 10 inch, 165 pound freshman wide receiver from Chicago, Illinois where he attended Homewood-Flossmore High School. Pauling had a lot of attention coming out of high school as he received offers from Michigan State, Syracuse, Northwestern, Iowa State, Wisconsin and many others.
Two Saturday’s ago the Bearcats hosted their Spring Game, I was in attendance and there were a lot of players that stood out to me ahead of the 2021 season, but one player that really stood out to me was freshman Will Pauling who enrolled to the University of Cincinnati this winter as an early enrollee after graduating high school this past winter. I checked out a spring practice two weeks ago and the one thing I highlighted in my notes was how good Will Pauling is in space. Pauling is known for his speed and it showed right away in that practice that he is going to be someone very special here at Cincinnati. The thing that stood out about Pauling was not just his speed, but his ability to create space on defenders and change directions very quickly, he has tremendous footwork for a freshman. In this past Saturday’s Spring Game, Pauling beat defenders on multiple occasions on deep ball plays, but just couldn’t connect in the sloppy rainy conditions. There was one play that stood out to many Bearcats fans in attendance though and it happened on the final play of the game when redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Prater connected with the true freshman Will Pauling on a quick post route from the slot and Pauling not only broke one defenders ankles with a nasty spin move to avoid the tackle from the defensive back, then bursted into a second gear to quickly juke out the safety to secure the victory for the Bearcats offense. Pauling quickly ran through the end zone to beat the drum after the score and for all those fans that braved the weather at Nippert Stadium during the rainy, windy weather the fans erupted in cheers and excitement after the freshman’s incredible touchdown catch and run.
I think we could have used this guy this spring. đŸ˜‚ Mid -year H-F graduate @Will_Paul6 houses this pass in today’s U. of Cincinnati’s Spring game. What a career this guy has in front of him. So excited to watch him on this stage for the next 4 years. #VikingPride pic.twitter.com/itvBDhvVEj
— HF Viking Football (@HF_Football) April 17, 2021
Pauling is going to be a bright spot for the Bearcats offense in the near future and for many years, as his speed and agility play a big factor in that aspect. Pauling has tremendous vision of the field, as well as incredible route running skills for a freshman that showed on Saturday. Will Pauling is a name you will be hearing a lot for the Bearcats in the next few years because he can do so much to affect the game and change the pace weather it’s a little jet sweep, quick action pass or one on one on the outside or in the slot. His speed and footwork is just incredible and will cause defenses a lot of problems. Senior wide receiver Michael Young, Jr. gave a lot of praise to the young core of receivers after the Spring Game whether it was Tyler Scott, Will Pauling, Tre Tucker or Jadon Thompson, he praised the work ethic in the receiving room and their ability to want to get better everyday. Wide receiver Michael Young, Jr. has really embraced his role as a mentor for these young receivers as he heads into his senior season for the Bearcats this fall and seems to be enjoying that role as he praised the talent and ability to make plays within the young receivers core for the Bearcats.
I expect Will Pauling to surprise a lot of Bearcats fans this season as he is a very talented playmaker on the outside. Pauling’s ability to create separation, use his speed and footwork will lead him to a lot of success in the near future and the skies the limit for him here in Cincinnati. Ridder has to be excited about the talent and playmakers he will have at the receiver position this season that will cause a lot of defenses trouble whether it’s Alec Pierce, Jordan Jones, Jadon Thompson, Michael Young, Jr., Tre Tucker, Will Pauling, Tyler Scott and many more.
