Quintez Cephus

Quintez Cephus's Biography

Quintez Cephus, born on April 1, 1998, is an accomplished American professional football player, currently plying his trade with the Los Angeles Rams as a wide receiver. His meteoric ascent to National Football League (NFL) prominence started when he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft, following a collegiate football career full of promise at Wisconsin.

His football journey, however, kicked off way before his time in Wisconsin. Back in his high school days at Stratford Academy in Macon, Georgia, Cephus demonstrated remarkable versatility by playing as a running back, wide receiver, and a defensive player, which earned him a respectable three-star recruiting grade.

Cephus, with his burgeoning talent and high-school reputation, received a host of offers from well-known institutions like Miami, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and Georgia Southern. However, he committed to Wisconsin on November 13, 2015. Interestingly, Cephus also pledged his talent to Furman, not for football, but for Basketball. Ultimately, he chose to follow the path of football, a decision he referred to as a “business decision”.

His sophomore season at Wisconsin saw him evolve as a crucial player, catching 30 passes, and notably achieving his first career collegiate 100-yard receiving game against Purdue. However, his ascent was stalled following a leg fracture against Indiana on November 4, that left him sidelined for the rest of the season and necessitated surgery.

Following this setback, Cephus’s junior season was ominously clouded by impending legal charges. After facing expulsion, being reinstated by the school, and extended support from the football team, the NCAA cleared him to play on August 23, 2019. His senior season showcased his undiminished potential, especially his ability to separate from defenders on the field.

Emboldened by leading the 2019 Badgers team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, Cephus declared for the 2020 NFL draft on January 6, 2020. His participation in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine further solidified his reputation, drawing praise from sport pundits and fellow players alike.

The Detroit Lions, having acquired a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, used their fifth-round pick, 166th overall, to draft Cephus in the 2020 NFL draft. Subsequently, on July 13, 2020, they signed Cephus to a four-year contract. Cephus made his mark in the NFL in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears, where he scored his first professional touchdown via a 49-yard reception from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Years 2021 and 2022 had Cephus placed twice on injured reserve, first due to a shoulder injury and then for unspecified reasons. 2023 was a troubled year for Cephus, as he was suspended indefinitely (at least one season) for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Subsequently, he was released by Lions.

On April 18, 2024, Cephus was reinstated by the NFL, and has been attempting to rebuild his career since. He had a short stint with the Buffalo Bills, signing a one-year contract but was released shortly after. He then joined the Houston Texans but found himself released again after just over a month.
Cephus was finally signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on September 18, 2024, marking his current position in professional football.

Parallel to his professional journey, Cephus has had a tumultuous personal journey as well. In April of 2018, Dane County suspended him from the Badgers football team after he was charged with second- and third-degree counts of sexual assault. This led to a tangle of legal litigation, including a lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin-Madison, alleging a breach of his Fifth Amendment rights. The university subsequently expelled Cephus. However, proving his innocence in court, Cephus was acquitted of both counts in August and was re-admitted into the university.

Cephus’s journey has been one of incredible highs and undeniable lows. But through all the tribulations, his talent and resolve remain undiminished. Today, he continues his journey in the NFL, striving to achieve the promising potential he has always shown.