title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING WILL PAULING ON SIGNING WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
WHEREAS, Will Pauling, from Chicago, attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School, where he became a star receiver for their football team; and
WHEREAS, Will had a breakout junior season where he hauled in 50 receptions for 951 yards and 11 touchdowns; and
WHEREAS, after graduation in 2021, Will committed to the University of Cincinnati as one of the top wide receiver recruits from Illinois where he played from 2021-2023 including as a freshman redshirt; and
WHEREAS, he was a part of a team competing in an unprecedented season as the Bearcats played Alabama in the National Championship semi-final Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Cincinnati was the first Group of Five team to qualify for the College Football Playoff since the current system was put in place in 2014; and
WHEREAS, for the 2023 season, Will entered the transfer portal and played for the University of Wisconsin Badgers where he became a key slot receiver, where he led the team recording 74 catches for 837 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Will led the Big Ten and ranked third in the country with 27 third-down catches, which was also the most for a Big Ten player since 2009 and finished tied for the national lead with 22 third-down-converting catches; and
WHEREAS, for the 2024 season with the Badgers, Will Recorded 407 yards on 42 receptions and three touchdowns and posted a game-high 83 yards and a touchdown on nine catches against Alabama; and
WHERAS, in his final season of eligibility, Will transferred to Notre Dame for his final season, where he was voted a team captain in 2025, acting as a reliable target with 26 receptions for 381 yards and led the Fighting Irish with 6 touchdowns in 12 games; and
WHEREAS, on April 26, 2026, Will was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent and is expected to compete for a spot as a slot receiver, bringing speed and special teams potential to the 49ers' roster; and
WHEREAS, this Honorable Body wishes to honor Will Pauling and congratulate him on reaching the pinnacle of his sport;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners congratulates and honors Will Pauling on signing with the San Francisco 49ers and wishes him luck as he embarks on his professional career in the NFL; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy be presented to Will Pauling as a symbol of our respect and esteem.
end