Quintez Cephus Bio
Quintez Cephus (born April 1, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and listed at 208 lb (94 kg), he has lined up at receiver throughout his professional career. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2016 to 2019 and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round, 166th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Quintez Cephus was born on April 1, 1998, in Macon, Georgia, where he grew up and attended Stratford Academy. At Stratford, he was a versatile multi-position player who lined up at running back, wide receiver, and on defense, drawing three-star recruiting grades from national scouting services.
Coming out of high school, Cephus was regarded as a skilled all-around athlete whose football upside ultimately won out over his basketball talent. He had briefly committed to Furman for basketball before pivoting back to football, a decision he later described as a business choice tied to long-term opportunity.
Path to American Football
On November 13, 2015, Cephus committed to the University of Wisconsin, choosing the Badgers over scholarship offers from Miami, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Georgia Southern. He enrolled at Wisconsin and immediately joined a receiver room known for developing NFL-caliber pass catchers.
His college path, however, was not linear. During his sophomore season he caught thirty passes and produced his first career 100-yard receiving game against Purdue, only to suffer a broken leg against Indiana on November 4 that ended his season and required surgery. He then missed his junior year because of pending legal charges before being cleared by the NCAA on August 23, 2019, allowing him to return for his senior campaign.
In his final college season, Cephus was praised for his ability to separate from defenders and led the 2019 Badgers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. On January 6, 2020, he declared for the 2020 NFL draft and participated in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where his route-running drew positive reviews.
Quintez Cephus Career
Early Career (2020)
The Detroit Lions selected Quintez Cephus with the 166th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft, a choice acquired through the earlier trade that sent cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles. On July 13, 2020, the Lions signed Cephus to a four-year rookie contract, formally launching his professional career.
His first major professional moment arrived in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears, when he caught a 49-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford for his first NFL score. The play offered a glimpse of the downfield capability that had defined his college profile.
Detroit Lions Era (2020–2022)
Cephus spent his first three NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, working primarily as a depth receiver and rotational target. In 2020 he showed flashes, including his first career touchdown, while gradually learning the nuances of the pro game.
Injuries disrupted his momentum. On October 12, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and on October 8, 2022, he landed on injured reserve again. On April 21, 2023, the league suspended him indefinitely, at least one season, after determining he had violated the NFL gambling policy by betting on NFL games, and Detroit released him.
Return to the League (2024)
On April 18, 2024, the NFL reinstated Quintez Cephus, making him eligible to sign with any team. On April 29, 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills but was released on May 16, 2024. On July 18, 2024, he signed with the Houston Texans and was released on August 27, 2024, before the regular season began.
On September 18, 2024, Cephus joined the Los Angeles Rams practice squad, providing him a route back onto an active roster. On January 20, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles, securing a place in the organization for the next league year.
Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers (2024–2025)
Cephus remained with the Los Angeles Rams through the 2024 season on the practice squad before signing his reserve/future deal. On June 25, 2025, however, the Rams waived him as they reshaped their offseason roster.
On July 24, 2025, Cephus signed with the San Francisco 49ers, only to be waived by San Francisco on July 28, 2025. The brief stop added another chapter to a nomadic stretch as he sought a stable roster home.
Houston Texans Second Stint (2025)
On August 6, 2025, Cephus signed with the Houston Texans, returning to a familiar organization. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the Texans practice squad on September 24, 2025, giving him another opportunity to contribute.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cephus’s career arc includes a 49-yard first career touchdown from Matthew Stafford against the Chicago Bears in 2020, an NFL reinstatement in April 2024 after his gambling suspension, and a series of quick signings across multiple franchises that underscored his perseverance. Through the 2025 season his career NFL totals stood at 37 receptions, 568 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns.
Quintez Cephus Career Wins
As a wide receiver, Quintez Cephus tracks his success through receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns rather than traditional win totals. His verified professional output through the 2025 season includes 37 receptions, 568 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns, with his longest score being the 49-yard strike from Matthew Stafford in 2020.
NFL Highlights
Cephus’s first NFL touchdown came against the Chicago Bears in Week 13 of the 2020 season on a 49-yard catch from Matthew Stafford. He has since added three more touchdown receptions while moving between the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and Houston Texans organizations.
Quintez Cephus Family
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Quintez Cephus’s immediate family, parents, marital status, spouse, or children has not been verified for this page. Details that are not clearly supported by reliable sources have been omitted.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a period of transition for Quintez Cephus. He began the year on a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Rams before being waived on June 25, 2025. A brief signing with the San Francisco 49ers on July 24, 2025, ended when he was waived four days later on July 28.
Cephus returned to the Houston Texans on August 6, 2025, competing for a roster spot during training camp. After being released on August 26, 2025, as part of final cuts, he rejoined the Texans practice squad on September 24, 2025, positioning him for a potential elevation later in the season.
His career NFL statistics through 2025, including 37 receptions for 568 yards and 4 touchdowns, reflect the cumulative impact of a route-running receiver who has battled injuries and roster churn. The Texans practice squad role offers him a platform to add to those totals as opportunities arise.