There was a surprise guest at Wayne State football practice yesterday: former running back Joique Bell. He’s in town with the Buffalo Bills who are facing the Detroit Lions in a preseason game tonight. Bell, for those of you who don’t know, made the Wayne State record books his own personal playground the last few years.

Bell had a season for the ages last year. He was the winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy which is the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Bell led the Warriors in rushing yards (2,084), total offensive yards (2,178), and all-purpose yards (2,392). He became both the all-time leading rusher in Wayne State history and in GLIAC history. He even completed a 68-yard touchdown pass.

Now Bell is attempting to make it to the NFL with the Bills. He’s competing for a back up role behind veteran Marshawn Lynch and first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller. The last Wayne State player to play on a preseason roster was former wide receiver Pierre Brown. He was with the Lions in 2002, but was cut before the season started. If Bell makes makes the final roster in Buffalo, and with the Bills’ injury issues, he could, he would become the first Wayne State player to make an opening day NFL roster since Tom Beer.

Beer, who played linebacker at WSU from 1990-1993, was drafted in the seventh round by the Lions in 1994. He eventually played in 41 games with Detroit from 1994-1996. The former Tartar/Warrior with the longest run in the league was Paul Butcher. Butcher, who also played linebacker at WSU from 1982-1986, spent 10 years in the NFL playing for the Lions, Rams (when they were still in L.A.), Colts, Raiders, and Panthers.

The final cuts will be announced on Saturday when all teams must get down to 53 players. Best of luck to Joique Bell who could join a very exclusive club in the long history of football at Wayne State University.