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Michigan long snapper William Wagner signs with Cincinnati Bengals

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•about 19 hours•

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William Wagner
Michigan Wolverines football long snapper William Wagner spent six seasons in Ann Arbor. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines football long snapper William Wagner will sign with the Cincinnati Bengals after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Michigan had seven players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft — defensive tackle Mason Graham (first round, No. 5 overall to the Cleveland Browns), tight end Colston Loveland (first round, No. 10 overall to the Chicago Bears), defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (first round, No. 13 overall to the Miami Dolphins), cornerback Will Johnson (second round, No. 47 overall to the Arizona Cardinals), EDGE Josaiah Stewart (third round, No. 90 overall to the Los Angeles Rams), running back Kalel Mullings (sixth round, No. 188 overall to the Tennessee Titans) and offensive lineman Myles Hinton (sixth round, No. 191 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles).

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler ranked Wagner the No. 1 long snapper in this year’s draft class, giving him a seventh-round grade.

Wagner put up 19 reps on the bench press and ran a 5.02-second 40-yard dash at Michigan’s pro day in March. Here were his measurements: Height: 6-1 3/8, Weight: 239 lbs., Hand: 9 1/8″, Reach/Arm: 30 1/2″, Wingspan: 74 3/8″

The Alpharetta, Ga., native was one of three finalists for the 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award, presented to the nation’s top long snapper. He became Michigan’s first finalist for the award that has been around since 2019.

Wagner snapped for 103 field goals, extra points and punts for Michigan in 2024. He played in all 13 games.

Wagner started all 15 games in 2023, as well, helping Michigan win its 45th Big Ten championship and 12th national title. The Wolverines finished 15-0, marking a perfect season as they ran through the Big Ten and College Football Playoff.

Wagner started five games at long snapper in 2022, before going down with a season-ending knee injury. Greg Tarr — Michigan’s projected starter at long snapper next season — took over his job for the rest of the season.

Wagner snapped in all 14 games in 2021 and all six outings in 2020. He didn’t see game action as a freshman in 2019.

An Alpharetta (Ga.) High product, Wagner was an unranked recruit in the 2019 class.

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