Ian Wheeler won a championship Saturday.
Five days later, he had another shot at the NFL.
The Buffalo Bills signed the former Louisville Kings running back Thursday after Wheeler capped his UFL season by being named the United Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Wheeler rushed for 81 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown on 10 carries to help Louisville win the UFL championship, completing a comeback journey that started after his first NFL opportunity ended before it really began.
Buffalo entered the week with the same four running backs it had last season: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr., who spent the season on the practice squad.
Wheeler, who is 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, gives the Bills another option heading into training camp at St. John Fisher University, and he’s already made an impression on his new team.
Wheeler scored twice against the Buffalo Bills in 2024 preseason
Wheeler originally signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Howard in 2024.
His NFL preseason debut came against Buffalo, and Wheeler took advantage of the opportunity.
He rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 33-6 preseason win over the Bills on Aug. 10, 2024.
Wheeler seemed poised to make the Bears’ roster before a torn ACL landed him on injured reserve before final roster cuts. He was released by the Bears and spent time on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad before rebuilding his career in the UFL.
Wheeler rushed for 370 yards and six touchdowns during the UFL regular season before helping Louisville win the championship.
Wheeler put medical school on hold for NFL dream
Wheeler’s football journey almost ended before it reached the professional level.
The Houston native graduated from Howard with a degree in psychology and was accepted into the Howard University College of Medicine.
Instead, Wheeler deferred his acceptance to chase his NFL opportunity.
In five seasons at Howard, Wheeler rushed for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also caught 23 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills sign UFL MVP who put medical school on hold for NFL dream
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
