Quintez Cephus Bio
Quintez Cephus (born April 1, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2016 to 2019 and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Cephus has appeared in multiple NFL organizations throughout his professional career, compiling 37 receptions for 568 yards and 4 touchdowns. Known for his ability to create separation from defensive backs, Cephus has continued pursuing opportunities at the professional level following his collegiate career at Wisconsin.
Early Life and Background
Quintez Cephus grew up in Macon, Georgia, where he attended Stratford Academy. While playing high school football, Cephus lined up at multiple positions including running back, wide receiver, and defensive player. His versatility and performance earned him a three-star recruiting grade from major college programs. His early exposure to different roles on the field helped develop the diverse skill set that would later benefit his transition to the wide receiver position at the collegiate level.
Path to the NFL
Cephus committed to play college football at the University of Wisconsin on November 13, 2015. He received additional scholarship offers from several programs including Miami, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Georgia Southern. Cephus also drew interest from Furman for basketball but ultimately chose to pursue football as what he described as a business decision. His commitment to Wisconsin marked the beginning of his journey toward professional football.
During his sophomore season at Wisconsin, Cephus established himself as a reliable target, catching 30 passes and recording his first collegiate 100-yard receiving game against Purdue. However, his development faced a significant setback when he sustained a broken leg during a game against Indiana on November 4, which required surgery and ended his season prematurely. Despite this injury, Cephus returned to form and during his senior season led the Badgers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He declared for the 2020 NFL Draft on January 6, 2020, and participated in the NFL Scouting Combine where he received praise from fellow participants.
Quintez Cephus Career
Detroit Lions (2020–2022)
Cephus was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round with the 166th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Lions had acquired the draft selection from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for cornerback Darius Slay. On July 13, 2020, Cephus signed a four-year contract with the organization. He made an immediate impact during his rookie season, scoring his first professional touchdown on a 49-yard reception from quarterback Matthew Stafford during Week 13 against the Chicago Bears.
His second season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury on October 12, 2021. Cephus faced another injury setback the following year, being placed on injured reserve again on October 8, 2022. In April 2023, Cephus was suspended indefinitely after the NFL determined he had violated the league gambling policy by betting on NFL games. The Lions released him following this suspension. Cephus was reinstated by the NFL on April 18, 2024.
Other NFL Teams (2024)
Following his NFL reinstatement, Cephus signed with the Buffalo Bills on April 29, 2024, but was released less than three weeks later on May 16. He then joined the Houston Texans on July 18, 2024, but was released during roster cuts on August 27. Later that year, Cephus signed with the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on September 18, 2024. He signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles on January 20, 2025, indicating the team’s plans for him heading into the 2025 season.
Houston Texans (2025–Present)
In 2025, Cephus continued his journey through the NFL with several team transitions. He was waived by the Rams on June 25, 2025. Four weeks later, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers on July 24, 2025, but was waived just four days after joining the team. Cephus returned to Houston for a second stint with the Texans on August 6, 2025. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the Texans practice squad on September 24, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cephus scored his first professional touchdown during Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season against the Chicago Bears, hauling in a 49-yard pass from Matthew Stafford. This performance represented a highlight during his rookie campaign with the Lions. Throughout his career, Cephus has demonstrated the ability to create separation from defenders, a skill that drew attention during his senior season at Wisconsin and carried into his professional career.
Quintez Cephus Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning multiple seasons with various teams, Cephus has appeared in games and contributed as a wide receiver. His professional statistics reflect his contributions at the professional level across the organizations he has played for.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
As of the 2025 NFL season, Cephus has recorded 37 receptions for 568 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns in regular-season play. His rookie season with the Lions provided an early glimpse of his potential, including his first professional touchdown reception against a division rival.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Detroit Lions | 10 | 159 | 2 |
| 2021 | Detroit Lions | 9 | 124 | 1 |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | 18 | 285 | 1 |
| 2024 | Multiple Teams | 0 | 0 | 0 |
College Career Highlights
At Wisconsin, Cephus led the Badgers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during his senior season in 2019. He recorded his first collegiate 100-yard receiving game during his sophomore year against Purdue before suffering a season-ending leg injury. His career at Wisconsin demonstrated his ability to be a primary receiving option at the Power Five level.
Quintez Cephus Personal Life
Education and Background
Cephus attended Stratford Academy in Macon, Georgia, before pursuing his college football career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During the spring of 2019, Cephus left the university following legal charges that were pending against him. He was expelled by the school at that time. However, after being acquitted of those charges in August 2019, the university re-admitted Cephus as a student before the fall 2019 semester, citing new information that emerged during their investigation. Cephus has credited the Wisconsin football team for supporting him during difficult times, noting that unlike others at the university, the football program never stopped believing in him.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Cephus joined the Houston Texans organization for the second time in his career. After being released during initial roster cuts, he was signed to the Texans practice squad in late September. This pathway through the practice squad represents a continued opportunity for Cephus to develop and potentially earn a spot on an active NFL roster. His journey through multiple organizations demonstrates the competitive nature of maintaining an NFL career, while his persistence in returning to the league following setbacks reflects his determination to succeed at the highest level of professional football.