Cyril Grayson Bio
Cyril Ross Grayson Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). He first rose to attention as an All-American track sprinter at Louisiana State University (LSU), even though he never suited up for the Tigers on the gridiron. After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Grayson carved out an unusually winding professional path that has carried him across more than a half-dozen NFL franchises, a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and a leading role in the spring football circuit.
Listed at 5 feet 9 inches and around 183 pounds, Grayson has built his career on track-star speed, sharp route running, and a willingness to grind through practice-squad stints on his way to game-day opportunities. His career arc, from track scholarship to Super Bowl contributor, has made him one of the more distinctive journeyman stories in recent American football.
Early Life and Background
Cyril Ross Grayson Jr. was born on December 5, 1993, in Kenner, Louisiana. He grew up in a family with three sisters and two brothers. His parents worked as a plant worker and a financial advisor, and his upbringing was rooted in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area.
Grayson attended Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana, where he first gained notice as a track athlete. Even at that stage, his sprinting ability hinted at the kind of straight-line speed that would later translate onto the football field. His high school years set the foundation for a college career that would eventually push him toward the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
Grayson enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he majored in kinesiology and emerged as an All-American track sprinter for the Tigers. Although he was a talented athlete on campus, Grayson never played college football because NCAA rules at the time prevented athletes on a minor-sport scholarship, such as track, from also competing in a major sport like football. Those restrictions were originally designed to prevent football programs from stockpiling extra athletes on rosters.
Determined to pursue football, Grayson gave up his track scholarship in order to undertake formal football training. He attended an LSU pro day, where his speed caught the eye of NFL scouts, and that single decision shifted the entire trajectory of his career from Olympic-style sprinting to wide receiver play at the highest level.
Cyril Grayson Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Grayson first tried out for the Canadian Football League in January 2017 before turning his attention south to the NFL. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on April 10, 2017, beginning a frenetic stretch in which he was repeatedly signed and released. After a brief practice-squad stay, he was released by Seattle and quickly signed to the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad on September 19, 2017.
The 2018 season brought more of the same pattern. Grayson returned to the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad on December 5, 2017, signed a reserve/future contract in January 2018, and was waived at the start of the regular season. He then moved through practice-squad stints with the Houston Texans in October 2018 and the Chicago Bears in late November 2018, signing another reserve/future deal with Chicago in January 2019.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2019–2021)
After short stints with the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad in 2019, Grayson was signed off the Cowboys’ practice squad by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 17, 2019. Just days later, he recorded his first professional catch, a three-yard reception against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. The 2020 season saw Grayson elevated to the active roster in October after cycling between the practice squad and active roster, dealing with COVID-19 list placement, and returning to action through the end of the year.
On February 7, 2021, Grayson won his first Super Bowl ring when the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9 in Super Bowl LV. He re-signed with Tampa Bay shortly after and continued producing in 2021. On October 31, 2021, Grayson caught his first career touchdown pass, a 50-yard strike from Tom Brady against the New Orleans Saints. He then authored one of the most dramatic moments of his career on January 2, 2022, hauling in six receptions for 81 yards including the game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds left against the New York Jets, stepping in for Antonio Brown on the decisive play. He was promoted to the active roster on January 8, 2022, and was waived by the Buccaneers in late August 2022.
Cleveland Browns and Spring Football (2022–2023)
Grayson signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad on November 7, 2022, but was released a week later. Looking for a more stable role, he signed with the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 29, 2023, joining the spring league as the USFL prepared for a major structural change.
The Stars folded when the XFL and USFL merged to form the United Football League (UFL), shifting the spring-football landscape and setting the stage for Grayson’s next opportunity.
Houston Gamblers Era (2024–Present)
On January 5, 2024, Grayson was selected by the Houston Roughnecks during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft, giving him a fresh home in the newly merged league. He re-signed with the team on October 7, 2024, and continued to feature as a key offensive piece. With the franchise operating as the Houston Gamblers in the UFL, Grayson re-signed again on May 6, 2025, underlining his standing within the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Grayson is best known for elite sprinting speed and reliable hands out of the slot. His track background shows up in the way he separates on vertical routes and accelerates out of breaks, and he has shown a knack for producing in high-leverage moments, particularly during his Super Bowl-winning run with the Buccaneers.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature event came on February 7, 2021, when he was part of the Buccaneers roster that demolished the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Other milestone moments include his first career reception against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, his first touchdown catch from Tom Brady in 2021, and the game-winning score against the New York Jets in January 2022.
Cyril Grayson Career Wins
Across his time in professional football, Grayson’s most prominent team victory came as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad that captured Super Bowl LV. Beyond that championship, his professional resume is built on individual milestones rather than trophy-case accolades, and he has accumulated 11 receptions for 215 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns over his NFL career.
UFL Highlights
Grayson has served as a steady contributor for the Houston franchise in the UFL, including work with the Houston Roughnecks in 2024 and the Houston Gamblers in 2025. His consistent production in spring football has given him a stable platform after years of bouncing between NFL practice squads.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, Grayson earned All-American honors as a track sprinter at LSU, the recognition that helped launch his transition from track to football. His professional performances have been highlighted by clutch contributions on Super Bowl-winning and game-winning plays rather than traditional stat-sheet dominance.
Cyril Grayson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cyril Ross Grayson Jr. grew up in Kenner, Louisiana, as one of six children, with three sisters and two brothers. His parents worked as a plant worker and a financial advisor, and his family roots in the New Orleans area helped shape both his athletic foundation and his path through local high school programs before he moved on to LSU.
Personal Life
Grayson has remained largely private about his personal life, with limited public information available regarding a spouse or children. His professional journey, from track sprinter to Super Bowl champion and UFL contributor, remains the most prominent part of his public story.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season finds Cyril Ross Grayson Jr. back with the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League, after he re-signed with the franchise on May 6, 2025. Coming off several years of spring-football experience, Grayson has continued to feature as a depth piece and situational playmaker, leaning on his track-star speed and refined route running.
His 2025 storyline centers on stability, a sharp contrast to the practice-squad shuttling that defined his early NFL years. With continuity at the team level and a defined role in the rotation, Grayson has been positioned to make the most of his opportunities in the UFL’s spring schedule.
Looking ahead, the 2025 UFL campaign gives Grayson a clear runway to continue his post-NFL chapter. While a return to an NFL roster remains the dream of many spring-league veterans, his primary focus is contributing to the Houston Gamblers’ push and adding to a professional resume that already includes a Super Bowl ring.