Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Tanos Potter
William Wagner, also known as Will Wagner, is an American professional football player who serves as a long snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 20, 2000, Wagner grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia, before playing college football at the University of Michigan.
Beyond his football career, Wagner comes from a family with strong connections to competitive athletics. His parents, Lee and Michelle Wagner, supported his development, while his two older brothers, Michael and Christopher Wagner, helped inspire his interest in football.
Michael played college football at Mercer University, and both brothers were accomplished high school athletes. Wagner has openly discussed how growing up alongside them motivated him to develop his own athletic identity.
Although Wagner has become a recognizable member of Cincinnati’s special teams unit, he maintains a relatively private personal life. As of now, reliable public sources have not confirmed the identity of a girlfriend, wife, or children.
Here is everything publicly known about William Wagner’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
William Wagner’s Girlfriend: Is He in a Relationship?
As of now, William Wagner has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner.
The Cincinnati Bengals long snapper generally focuses his public interviews on football, his engineering education, and the family members who supported his athletic development.
His official biographies from the Cincinnati Bengals and University of Michigan do not identify a current romantic partner.
Likewise, interviews published during his preparations for the 2025 NFL Draft and his first professional seasons have not established whether he is dating anyone.
Consequently, there is insufficient verified information to identify a girlfriend.
Is William Wagner Married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that William Wagner is married.
His official NFL biography does not identify a wife, and authoritative sports reporting has not documented a wedding.
However, the absence of public information should not be interpreted as definitive proof of his marital status.
William Wagner’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
As of now, William Wagner has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither the Cincinnati Bengals nor the University of Michigan has published verified information identifying him as the father of a son or daughter.
His available interviews concentrate primarily on his football career, academic interests, and relationships with his parents and brothers.
There have also been no reliable public announcements establishing that Wagner has welcomed a child.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to identify any children or make definitive claims about his private parental status without additional evidence.
William Wagner’s Parents
William Wagner was born to Lee Wagner and Michelle Wagner, who raised their family in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Both parents are identified in William’s official University of Michigan football biography and in the Mercer University biography of his older brother Michael.
The Wagner family encouraged participation in athletics and education, helping their sons develop interests in football and other competitive activities.
William has also publicly discussed his family’s connections to Alabama and Cincinnati, reflecting relationships extending beyond his hometown.
William Wagner’s Father: Lee Wagner
Lee Wagner is William Wagner’s father and an important member of his family.
His identity is confirmed in the official football biographies published by the University of Michigan and Mercer University.
Lee raised William and his brothers in Alpharetta, where the family became connected to the local high school football community.
One particularly meaningful moment involving father and son occurred during William’s college recruitment.
According to an August 2026 Cincinnati Bengals feature, Wagner received a recruiting opportunity from the University of Michigan and visited the campus with his father.
The visit took place on William’s birthday.
At the time, Wagner was interested in pursuing an engineering education while continuing to play competitive football.
Michigan offered both a nationally recognized football program and a strong engineering school.
After touring the campus and researching the university’s academic opportunities, Wagner decided that Michigan was an excellent fit for his ambitions.
The visit helped establish the next major chapter of his football and educational career.
Although Lee has been identified in official athletic records, reliable public reporting provides limited information about his professional occupation or other personal activities.
William Wagner’s Mother: Michelle Wagner
Michelle Wagner is William Wagner’s mother and another important figure in his upbringing.
Like Lee, she is named in official football biographies published by Michigan and Mercer.
Michelle has strong family connections to Mobile, Alabama, a city with a longstanding tradition of hosting the Senior Bowl.
During a 2025 interview ahead of the Senior Bowl, William explained that much of his extended family came from Mobile.
He said that participating in the event was particularly meaningful because of his mother’s connections to the city.
Michelle had attended several Senior Bowl events before William received his own invitation.
Having an opportunity to participate in the game and share the experience with his family represented an important moment in his college football journey.
William also mentioned that an uncle still lived in Mobile, giving the family an additional connection to the area.
Although Michelle has been publicly identified as his mother, authoritative sports sources provide limited information about her occupation or educational background.
How William Wagner’s Parents Supported His College Football Ambitions
Wagner developed two major interests during his teenage years: football and engineering.
He began experimenting with long snapping during elementary school before taking the position more seriously in eighth grade.
As he approached college, he wanted to compete in a major football program without sacrificing his academic interests.
His family’s support helped him navigate the recruiting process.
Wagner attracted opportunities from Mercer University and Brown University before Michigan offered him a place in its football program.
His visit to Michigan with his father reinforced his decision to pursue engineering while competing at the highest level of college football.
He eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and pursued graduate studies in manufacturing engineering.
His educational achievements became a distinctive part of his identity as an NFL prospect.
William Wagner’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers Michael and Christopher
William Wagner has two older brothers named Michael Wagner and Christopher Wagner.
Michael and Christopher are identified in the official Mercer University football biography of Michael, which names his siblings as Christopher and William.
William has also discussed both brothers in interviews about his athletic development.
Growing up, he watched them become successful football players at Alpharetta High School.
Their achievements motivated him to establish his own reputation in the sport.
Michael Wagner: William Wagner’s Older Brother
Michael Wagner is William Wagner’s older brother and a former college football linebacker at Mercer University.
Born on June 22, 1994, in Alpharetta, Georgia, Michael attended Alpharetta High School before continuing his football career at Mercer.
During high school, he earned two varsity football letters and became a team captain.
He also received Defensive Most Valuable Player recognition and was part of Alpharetta’s 2011 region championship team.
Michael subsequently joined Mercer University’s football program.
During the 2013 season, he appeared in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman, recording 20 tackles.
He also earned recognition on the Pioneer Football League Honor Roll.
In 2014, Michael appeared in six games, recording 13 tackles and receiving Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll recognition.
His official Mercer biography identifies accounting as his college major.
Although Michael developed a successful college football career, there is no reliable public record establishing that he later played in the NFL.
How Michael Wagner Influenced His Younger Brother
Michael’s college football experience helped inspire William to pursue a similar path.
During an interview before the 2025 Senior Bowl, William explained that watching Michael play at Mercer made him want to compete in college football.
However, William wanted to establish his own identity rather than simply follow the same positional path.
Michael played linebacker, while William ultimately specialized in long snapping.
Despite their different positions, Michael’s progression from high school to college demonstrated that football could provide meaningful athletic and educational opportunities.
William began taking long snapping more seriously in eighth grade, practicing several times each week.
His dedication eventually helped him earn an opportunity at the University of Michigan.
Christopher Wagner: William Wagner’s Other Older Brother
Christopher Wagner is another of William Wagner’s older brothers.
His identity is confirmed in Michael Wagner’s official Mercer University football biography.
William also referred to having two older brothers during an October 2023 interview with Michigan Athletics.
He explained that both brothers had established strong reputations as high school football players.
Their achievements created additional motivation for him during his early athletic development.
According to William, people in his hometown frequently spoke about the Wagner brothers and their football abilities.
Rather than allowing those comparisons to discourage him, he used them as motivation to improve.
Christopher’s professional occupation, college education, and current personal activities have not been reliably established through the sources reviewed.
Consequently, those details remain private.
Does William Wagner Have a Sister?
No sister is identified in the official Michigan and Mercer football biographies reviewed.
Mercer University identifies Michael’s brothers as Christopher and William, confirming that William has two brothers.
However, the available records do not independently establish every aspect of the family’s private life.
William Wagner’s Extended Family in Alabama and Cincinnati
William Wagner has publicly discussed family connections extending beyond Georgia.
During the 2025 Senior Bowl, he explained that several relatives came from Mobile, Alabama.
He also mentioned having an uncle who lived in the city.
That connection made his invitation to the Senior Bowl particularly meaningful.
In August 2026, Wagner revealed another family connection while discussing his decision to join the Cincinnati Bengals.
He explained that he had relatives in Cincinnati and had visited the city while growing up.
Those family ties helped make Cincinnati a familiar destination when he entered professional football.
Although Wagner has confirmed these relationships, he has not publicly identified the names of his Cincinnati relatives or his uncle in Mobile in the interviews reviewed.
How William Wagner’s Brothers Influenced His Football Development
William Wagner’s interest in football began during childhood, when his older brothers were already active in the sport.
He initially participated in several different positions, including offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker.
He also developed an interest in special teams.
Although he first practiced long snapping around fifth grade, he began taking it seriously in eighth grade.
At that point, he started practicing three or four times per week.
Wagner gradually discovered that the position suited his personality and preference for precision.
He focused on developing accuracy, speed, consistency, and proper football rotation.
During his October 2023 interview with Michigan Athletics, he explained that growing up with two successful older brothers encouraged him to find something at which he could excel.
Long snapping became that specialty.
William Wagner’s Childhood and High School Football Career
William Wagner grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he attended Alpharetta High School.
His family already had a connection to the school’s football program because his older brothers had played there.
Wagner participated in several football positions before concentrating on long snapping.
During his high school career, he also developed strong academic interests.
He became a National Honor Society member and participated in the Young Men’s Service League.
He was recognized as a scholar-athlete throughout all four years of high school.
During the 2018 football season, Wagner earned first-team All-State, All-Region, and All-Fulton County recognition.
He was also named Alpharetta High School’s Special Teams Player of the Year.
National recruiting organizations recognized his long-snapping potential, including Kohl’s Professional Camps and Rubio Long Snapping.
Despite attracting attention from college football programs, Wagner remained strongly interested in pursuing an engineering degree.
His eventual decision to attend Michigan allowed him to combine both ambitions.
William Wagner’s College Football Career at Michigan
William Wagner joined the University of Michigan football program in 2019.
He spent his freshman season developing his technique and adjusting to the demands of college athletics.
In 2020, he earned the starting long snapper position and appeared in all six games during the pandemic-shortened season.
He continued as Michigan’s primary long snapper throughout the following seasons.
During the 2021 campaign, Wagner appeared in all 14 games as Michigan won the Big Ten championship.
He also contributed during the 2022 season before an injury interrupted his playing time.
In 2023, Wagner appeared in all 15 games as Michigan completed an undefeated season.
The Wolverines defeated Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 8, 2024.
Wagner played an important role in the special teams operation that contributed to the championship.
He returned for the 2024 season and continued serving as Michigan’s starting long snapper.
His performances earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference’s coaches.
He was also named a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, presented annually to the nation’s leading college long snapper.
Wagner finished his Michigan career having appeared in 53 games.
William Wagner’s Engineering Education
One of William Wagner’s most distinctive characteristics is his strong interest in engineering.
He graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and subsequently pursued a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering.
His academic interests became an important part of how he approached football.
During a 2023 Michigan Athletics interview, Wagner explained that he regularly applied engineering principles when studying his long-snapping technique.
He analyzed how force, friction, and different release positions could affect the football’s movement.
He also experimented with small technical adjustments to improve accuracy and consistency.
In August 2026, the Cincinnati Bengals published a feature describing how Wagner continued applying that analytical mindset to professional football.
His academic achievements included multiple Academic All-Big Ten selections and recognition as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
His combination of athletic and academic success helped distinguish him during the NFL recruiting process.
William Wagner’s NFL Career With the Cincinnati Bengals
William Wagner entered professional football after completing his college career at Michigan.
He participated in the 2025 Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, receiving opportunities to demonstrate his long-snapping abilities to professional teams.
Although he was not selected during the 2025 NFL Draft, Wagner agreed to join the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.
He signed his professional contract on May 9, 2025.
During training camp, Wagner competed with veteran long snapper Cal Adomitis for Cincinnati’s starting position.
Wagner ultimately won the job and made the team’s initial 53-man roster.
He appeared in all 17 games during his rookie season.
According to his official Bengals biography, he delivered 137 long snaps without an unplayable delivery during the 2025 campaign.
His responsibilities included snapping for punts, field goals, and extra-point attempts.
He worked alongside Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow and kicker Evan McPherson.
During the 2026 season, Wagner continued serving as Cincinnati’s long snapper while building on the experience gained during his rookie campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions About William Wagner’s Family
Who is William Wagner’s girlfriend?
As of now, William Wagner has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner.
Is William Wagner married?
There is no verified public announcement establishing that William Wagner is married or has a wife.
Does William Wagner have children?
As of now, William Wagner has no publicly confirmed children.
Who are William Wagner’s parents?
His parents are Lee Wagner and Michelle Wagner, as confirmed by the University of Michigan and Mercer University.
Who is William Wagner’s father?
His father is Lee Wagner, who accompanied him on a recruiting visit to the University of Michigan before his college football career.
Who is William Wagner’s mother?
His mother is Michelle Wagner, whose family has longstanding connections to Mobile, Alabama.
How many siblings does William Wagner have?
William Wagner has two publicly confirmed older brothers: Michael Wagner and Christopher Wagner.
Who is William Wagner’s brother Michael?
Michael Wagner is his older brother and a former Mercer University linebacker who played college football after attending Alpharetta High School.
Who is Christopher Wagner?
Christopher Wagner is another of William Wagner’s older brothers. He is identified in Michael Wagner’s official Mercer University football biography.
Does William Wagner have a sister?
No sister has been identified in his official Michigan biography or his brother’s Mercer University records.
Did William Wagner’s brothers play football?
Yes. Both older brothers were accomplished high school football players, and Michael continued his career at Mercer University.
Where is William Wagner’s family from?
William Wagner grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia. He also has extended family connections to Mobile, Alabama, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
When was William Wagner born?
William Wagner was born on December 20, 2000.
Which college did William Wagner attend?
He attended the University of Michigan, where he played football and studied mechanical and manufacturing engineering.
Did William Wagner win a national championship?
Yes. Wagner was a member of the Michigan Wolverines team that won the College Football Playoff National Championship for the 2023 season.
Which NFL team does William Wagner play for?
As of now, William Wagner serves as the long snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
