WASHINGTON – Former Howard University standout Ian Wheeler made his NFL debut Saturday with a pair of rushing touchdowns en route to the Chicago Bears grabbing a 33-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills during preseason action in Buffalo, N.Y.
With more than six minutes remaining, the Houston native scored up the middle to extend the Bear’s lead, 26-6. Nearly four minutes later, Wheeler found paydirt for the second time off a toss to the left side.
Wheeler wrapped up his career as one of the league’s most dynamic players, finishing with nearly 2,500 all-purpose yards while returning a school-record three kickoffs for touchdowns. The former walk-on also shined in the classroom, earning a cumulative 3.57 GPA and being named to the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. In October 2023, the Houston product was accepted into Howard University med school.
Overall, the Chicago Bears finished with 340 total yards of offense, including 141 rushing yards. DMV native and the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft Caleb Williams also made his debut, going 4-of-7 for 95 yards.
Wheeler is back in action Saturday (Aug. 17) when Chicago faces the Cincinnati Bengals at home.
Ian Wheeler Howard University Bio
2022: Played in 11 games … Named an All-MEAC Second Team selection … Was third in the MEAC in kickoff returns, sixth in all-purpose yards, and 11th in rushing … Ran for 316 yards on 57 carries … Had three rushing touchdowns … Caught nine passes for 84 yards and one touchdown … Returned 19 kickoffs for 424 yards and a touchdown … Averaged 74.9 all-purpose yards per game … Ran for a season best 70 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown against South Florida … Longest run of the season was 24 yards, also against South Florida … Also scored rushing touchdowns against Yale and Morgan State … Caught a 12-yard touchdown pass against Harvard … Caught five passes for 45 yards against South Florida … Returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown against North Carolina Central … Finished with four tackles … Helped Howard earn a share of the MEAC regular season championship, its first since 1993.
2022: Named to the Bluebloods All-Conference Second Team … earned 2022 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Second Team.
2021 (Fall): Named to the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Conference Second Team as a running back … selected to the 2021 All-MEAC Third Team as a return specialist … made the 2021 MEAC Football All-Academic Team … earned 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Second Team as a special teamer … named to the 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Third Team as a running back.
2021 (Spring): Selected to the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner’s All-Academic Team.
Personal: Chose Howard because of the black squirrels…Hobbies include reading…Admires his mother because she worked so hard to make his family happy…Favorite food is gumbo…Three people to invite for dinner are his mother, grandmother, and grandfather…Favorite professional sports team is the New Orleans Saints…Favorite musical artist is Lil Wayne…Reality show to be a part of is Jeopardy.
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