He started for the varsity football team at Whitefish Bay High School at punter, placekicker and tight end as a junior and senior. He was an All-American selection by Sporting News, PrepStar and SuperPrep and played in the U.S. Army All-American Game.[1] Hagerup committed to Michigan on September 27, 2009.[2] Once he committed, he was projected to be the most likely Wolverine to be a true freshman starter, because starting punter Zoltan Mesko was graduating.[3] He signed his National Letter of Intent with Michigan on February 3, 2010.[4] He attended Michigan's spring football practice on March 23.[5] Upon graduating, he was considered to be the third best placekicker in the national high school class of 2010 by ESPN and Rivals.com and the fourth best punter by Scout.com.[6][7][8] However, he was more highly decorated as a punter: he received first team All-state recognition as a punter.[1]
When Hagerup kicked a 72-yard punt for the 2010 Michigan team that stopped on the 3-yard-line against Purdue on November 13, 2010, it was the longest punt by a Wolverine since Monte Robbins' 82-yard punt on December 6, 1987, against Hawaii.[9][10] Hagarup did not travel with the team due to a violation of team rules on for the Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry game on November 27 against Ohio State.[11] In 2010, although true freshman Hagerup placed fourth in the conference in overall punting average (43.6 yards/punt),[12] he led the conference in conference games punting average (46.0).[13]
He was the 2012 Big Ten Punter of the Year and the First Team All-Conference selection (media) for the 2012 Wolverines.[17] That year, he led the conference in overall punting average (45.0).[18] Hagerup did not attend the 2013 Outback Bowl due to a violation of team rules.[19] Hagerup's 45.03 yards per punt average surpassed Mesko's school single-season record of 44.46 yards per punt.[20]
On May 7, 2013, his suspension from the team was lifted although he was designated to sit out the 2013 season.[21] He was a 2014 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by the coaches.[22][23]
Personal
He is the brother of former Indiana Hoosiers punter, Chris Hagerup, who was a redshirt junior during Will's true freshman season.[24] Chris, who was three classes ahead of Will at Whitefish Bay High School, earned a college football scholarship in high school, inspiring Will.[25] Hagerup also performs as a rhythm guitarist.[26]
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