Will Pauling came home.
Fresh off of signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, the former Notre Dame wide receiver and 2021 Homewood-Flossmoor graduate decided to take in a Vikings baseball game on May 6.
“Every time I come back home I make sure to stop by H-F because of what they’ve meant to me,” he said. “I think it’s always good to come back, give thanks and give back to the kids, as well.”
Pauling said he had some free time because he finished his finals for his master’s degree in non-profit administration at Notre Dame last week. He already has a degree in personal finance from Wisconsin, where he played before transferring to South Bend before the 2025 season.
He wanted to spend some of that time with the people who helped get him to where he is.
“H-F has meant a lot. It’s shaped me in a lot of ways, not only as an athlete,” Pauling said. “I’ve met a lot of cool people through here. A lot of people have impacted me from the staff, the coaches, the teachers.”
Pauling started his college football career at Cincinnati. The Bearcats made the College Football Playoff during his freshman season.
After that he followed coach Luke Fickell to Wisconsin, where he stayed for two years before transferring for his graduate season with the Fighting Irish.
In high school, Pauling also played middle infield and outfield for the Vikings baseball team before graduating in 2021. H-F coach Marcus Rodgers was his travel baseball coach.
“I was just telling (H-F Athletic Director) Matt Lyke how coach Marcus used to be on my butt all the time,” Pauling said. “It’s always good to get back around campus and see everybody.”
If Pauling makes the 49ers roster, he’ll join New York Giants center John Michael Schmitz and Dallas Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy as H-F alums in the NFL. In total, seven Vikings have played in an NFL game. The first was Wes Hamilton, who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1976 to 1984.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed about doing. Having it come to life is a blessing,” Pauling said. “I still don’t think it’s actually kicked in for me. I’m sure once I get out there and actually get the jersey and the helmet, I think it’ll start getting more real.”
