Howard University football alumnus running back Ian Wheeler made his NFL preseason debut for the Buffalo Bills against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 15. In that debut with the Bills, he posted 41 yards and a touchdown. During his tenure at Howard, he accumulated over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Various student-athletes from Howard have made it to professional leagues. Their journeys have not always come easy, but here are three former Bison athletes who are continuing to make strides in their professional careers: Ian Wheeler, Bryce Harris and David Oliver.
Ian Wheeler
After his Howard tenure, in 2024, Wheeler was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears. He then tore his ACL in their last preseason game, causing him to lose his roster spot. After healing, he got another shot with the Bears and played with them for another preseason but once again did not make the roster.
He also made a practice squad with the New Orleans Saints in late 2025, but they released him back into free agency only a week later. All of this eventually led to his decision to join the United Football League (UFL) in Spring of 2026, where he won their league championship. He got picked up by the Buffalo Bills quickly after and has been catching buzz in this 2026 preseason.
Howard Vice President of Athletics, Kery Davis, said Wheeler is known for his work ethic.
After Ian’s injury, “most would have given up,” which is a testament to who he is, he said.
“Ian’s story is an extraordinary story. One that should inspire all student athletes who dream of performing at the highest level,” Davis said.
Bryce Harris
Bryce Harris was a guard and small-ball center for Howard and had arguably his best statistical season with the Bison his senior year. Harris averaged 17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his final year. He did all of this while being the main catalyst for the Bison’s NCAA run last season.
Over his five years at Howard from 2021-2026, Harris averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 51 percent shooting.
Harris signed to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder Summer League team this summer. Though his playing time during the 2026 Summer League was limited, he joined a short list of Howard men’s basketball players to make that next step.
Out of the eight Summer League games the Thunder played, Harris competed in three, averaging 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1 assist on 30.8% shooting. He got his most minutes in the last consolation game, where he started and played 23 minutes, posting 13 points and 10 rebounds.
David Oliver
David Oliver was a hurdler for the Bison. He was a two-time All-American during his tenure and graduated from the university in 2004.
After his stint at Howard, he went on to run professionally, winning a bronze medal in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2008 Olympics. He was also a world champion in 2013 for running the 100-meter hurdles in 13 seconds.
Oliver is now retired from hurdling and became the director of track and field at Howard in 2017.
Vincent James, a first-year philosophy major and track athlete from Fort Worth, Texas, said Oliver seldom mentions his old wins.
“When I came here on my visit, he was talking about how he went to the Olympics…but he really doesn’t try to talk about it that much,” James said. “He’s in his coaching lifestyle; all of the past that he did was able to get him here, but it’s just not relevant to him [anymore].”
