Ian Wheeler, former Howard Bison football standout, delivered a remarkable NFL preseason performance for the Chicago Bears on August 17, 2025, rushing 19 times for 80 yards and scoring two touchdowns in a commanding 38-0 victory over the Buffalo Bills. This performance marks a strong comeback following his ACL injury and places him in excellent position to secure a spot on Chicago’s 53-man roster for the upcoming NFL season.
Wheeler’s journey back from a major knee injury highlights not only his physical resilience but also the growing impact HBCU athletes are making at the professional level. As a former star at Howard University, Wheeler’s showcase underscores the pipeline of talent emerging from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, reminding fans and scouts alike of the rich athletic heritage and untapped potential within HBCU programs.
The Bears’ game against the Bills was an emphatic team effort, but Wheeler’s two-touchdown contribution stood out as a personal triumph. Carrying the ball almost twice as much as some starters, his 80 rushing yards demonstrated a balanced combination of speed, vision, and power running style. Chicago’s coaching staff appears impressed, with team insiders noting Wheeler’s “aggressive running and ability to make tough yards” as critical in carving out his case for the NFL roster.
This standout preseason showing contrasts yet complements the broader momentum building across HBCU sports this year. In basketball, the inaugural HBCU Hoops Invitational will debut at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from December 4 to 7, 2025. This new tournament will spotlight eight marquee HBCU teams—four men’s teams (including Florida A&M, Tuskegee, Florida Memorial, Barber-Scotia) and four women’s teams (Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, Edward Waters, Cheyney)—in a high-stakes, single-elimination competition. The event aims not only to showcase basketball excellence but also to support the academic and career development of HBCU athletes through integrated activities such as college admissions fairs and scholarship opportunities.
Florida A&M stands as a marquee program in this tournament, recently hiring Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as men’s head coach, which adds considerable prestige and attention to the event. Cheyney University’s women’s team brings significant historical weight as the only HBCU women’s team to have reached the NCAA Division I Final Four back in 1982, underscoring the deep legacy on display.
In football, the 2025 HBCU season is poised for excitement with new coaching hires across MEAC and SWAC conferences and the upcoming kickoff rivalry—the MEAC/SWAC Challenge between North Carolina Central and Southern University on August 23. This sets the stage for a competitive season enriched by fresh leadership and longstanding rivalries that have shaped HBCU football culture. The challenge game is always a highlight, symbolizing both inter-conference pride and the historic significance of these Black college programs.
Wheeler’s performance and the upcoming basketball invitational also reflect broader trends reshaping HBCU athletics, such as increased media exposure, enhanced facilities, and growing financial opportunities through partnerships and NIL deals. These developments are helping elevate HBCU sports beyond traditional boundaries, offering student-athletes better platforms and support systems.
In the context of HBCU football, Wheeler’s potential roster spot in the NFL resonates with both the athletic and cultural aspirations of HBCU communities. His success story inspires current players striving to follow in his footsteps, while also drawing greater attention from NFL scouts to HBCU talent pools.
As the football season unfolds and basketball programs prepare for the historic Disney tournament, the exciting progress across multiple sports signals a thriving future for HBCU athletics. Increased national visibility, combined with strong leadership and emerging talent like Ian Wheeler, promises a season filled with competitive intensity and cultural celebration.
Looking ahead, fans should keep an eye on Wheeler’s continued efforts to solidify his NFL career, alongside the December Hoops Invitational and the traditional kickoff clash, all of which frame a dynamic era of growth and achievement for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in sports.