Cyril Grayson

American football player (born 1993)

American football player
Cyril Grayson
No. 16 – Houston Roughnecks
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1993-12-05) December 5, 1993 (age 30)
Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:Archbishop Rummel
(Metairie, Louisiana)
College:LSU
Undrafted:2017
Career history
  • Seattle Seahawks (2017)*
  • Indianapolis Colts (2017)*
  • Seattle Seahawks (2017–2018)*
  • Houston Texans (2018)*
  • Chicago Bears (2018–2019)*
  • New Orleans Saints (2019)*
  • Dallas Cowboys (2019)*
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019–2021)
  • Cleveland Browns (2022)*
  • Philadelphia Stars (2023)
  • Houston Roughnecks (2024–present)
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:11
Receiving yards:215
Receiving touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Cyril Ross Grayson Jr.[1] (born December 5, 1993) is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He did not play college football, but was an All-American track sprinter at LSU.

Early years

Grayson has three sisters and two brothers.[1] His parents are a plant worker and a financial advisor.[2] Grayson attended Archbishop Rummel High School.[1][2][3][4]

College career

Grayson attended Louisiana State University (LSU), majoring in kinesiology, where he was an All-American track sprinter.[1][2][5][3][4] He did not play football in college because the NCAA prohibited athletes who were on scholarship for a minor sport like track from playing major sports; such a rule was created to prevent football teams from circumventing their scholarship limit by allocating extra players to other sports.[2][5] He gave up his track scholarship in order to undertake football training.[2]

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks (first stint)

Grayson tried out for the Canadian Football League in January 2017.[5] After not playing college football, he attended a pro day organized by LSU, and he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on April 10, 2017.[4][2][5][3] He was waived on September 2, 2017, and was signed to the practice squad the next day, only to be released five days later.

Indianapolis Colts

On September 19, 2017, Grayson was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.[6] He was released on October 17, 2017.

Seattle Seahawks (second stint)

On December 5, 2017, Grayson was signed to the Seahawks practice squad.[7][8] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 2, 2018. He was waived on September 1, 2018.

Houston Texans

On October 1, 2018, Grayson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[9] He was released on October 29, 2018.

Chicago Bears

On November 27, 2018, Grayson was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad.[10] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2019.[11] He was waived on May 2, 2019.[12]

New Orleans Saints

On May 13, 2019, Grayson was signed by the New Orleans Saints.[13] He was waived on August 30, 2019.[14]

Dallas Cowboys

On December 11, 2019, Grayson was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.[15]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On December 17, 2019, Grayson was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off the Cowboys practice squad.[16] He recorded his first professional catch on a three-yard reception against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17.[17] Grayson was waived by the Buccaneers during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the following day.[18] He was elevated to the active roster on September 12 and 19 for the team's weeks 1 and 2 games against the Saints and Carolina Panthers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[19][20] He was promoted to the active roster on October 6.[21] He was waived on November 3,[22] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[23] He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list by the team on November 14, 2020,[24] and restored to the practice squad on November 19.[25] He was placed on the practice squad/injured list on December 21, 2020,[26] and restored to the practice squad on January 29, 2021.[27] Grayson won his first Super Bowl with the Buccaneers on February 7, 2021, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9, in Super Bowl LV.[28] On February 9, 2021, Grayson re-signed with the Buccaneers.[29]

On August 31, 2021, Grayson was waived by the Buccaneers and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[30][31] On October 31, 2021, Grayson caught his first touchdown pass on a 50-yard pass from Tom Brady against the Saints. On January 2, 2022, Grayson caught six receptions for 81 yards and a game winning touchdown with 15 seconds left against the New York Jets. Grayson filled in for Antonio Brown on the game winning play, who had previously left the game during the third quarter. He was then signed to the active roster on January 8.[32]

On August 25, 2022, Grayson was waived by the Buccaneers.[33]

Cleveland Browns

On November 7, 2022, Grayson was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad.[34] He was waived on November 15, 2022.[35]

Philadelphia Stars

Grayson signed with the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL) on May 29, 2023.[36] The Stars folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[37]

Houston Roughnecks

On January 5, 2024, Grayson was selected by the Houston Roughnecks during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[38]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Profile". Louisiana State University. Retrieved June 4, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d e f Klemko, Robert (April 14, 2017). "Cyril Grayson Sprints Into the Unknown". MMQB. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Boyle, John (April 10, 2017). "Seahawks Sign LSU Track Standout Cyril Grayson". Seattle Seahawks. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Shook, Nick (April 10, 2017). "Seahawks sign LSU track star Cyril Grayson". NFL.com. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d Ching, David (April 21, 2017). "How Cyril Grayson landed an NFL deal without ever playing college football". ESPN. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  6. ^ "Roster Move: Colts Sign WR Cyril Grayson Jr. To Practice Squad". Colts.com. September 19, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  7. ^ "Joey Hunt promoted to 53, Cyril Grayson added to practice squad". Field Gulls. SB Nation. December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  8. ^ "Cyril Grayson: Joins Seattle's practice squad". CBS Sports. December 6, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Wilson, Aaron (October 1, 2018). "Texans sign WR Cyril Grayson to practice squad". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  10. ^ "Bears sign Cyril Grayson to practice squad". Bears Wire. USA Today. November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  11. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 8, 2019). "Bears sign 10 to reserve/future contracts". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  12. ^ Williams, Charean (May 2, 2019). "Bears waive Dejon Allen, Willie Beavers, Cyril Grayson". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "Report: Saints sign LSU athlete Cyril Grayson, CB David Simmons". 247 Sports. May 13, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  14. ^ "Former LSU track star Cyril Grayson Jr. waived by Saints". Saints Wire. USA Today. August 30, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  15. ^ "Cowboys roster move: Dallas adding WR Cyril Grayson to the practice squad". Blogging The Boys. SB Nation. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  16. ^ Smith, Scott (December 17, 2019). "Bucs Add Track Star Cyril Grayson to Receiving Corps". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – December 29th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  18. ^ Smith, Scott (September 6, 2020). "Bucs Get Draft Picks Back on Super-Sized Practice Squad". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  19. ^ Smith, Scott (September 12, 2020). "Cyril Grayson, Mazzi Wilkins Elevated to Game Day Roster". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  20. ^ Smith, Scott (September 19, 2020). "Bucs Promote Mazzi Wilkins, Elevate Two Others from Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  21. ^ Smith, Scott (October 6, 2020). "Cyril Grayson Promoted as O.J. Howard Lands on I.R." Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  22. ^ "Buccaneers activate WR Antonio Brown, waive WR Cyril Grayson". Buccaneers.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  23. ^ Comeaux, Jonathan (November 5, 2020). "Buccaneers Re-Sign WR Cyril Grayson To PS, Cut WR John Hurst". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  24. ^ Smith, Scott (November 14, 2020). "Ali Marpet, Jaydon Mickens Won't Make Trip to Charlotte". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  25. ^ Smith, Scott (November 19, 2020). "Cyril Grayson Activated from Practice Squad COVID List". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  26. ^ "Cyril Grayson: Placed on injured list". CBSSports.com. December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Smith, Michael David (January 29, 2021). "Buccaneers cut C.J. Prosise, activate Cyril Grayson to practice squad". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  28. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Smith, Scott (February 9, 2021). "Bucs Sign 11 to Futures Contracts". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  30. ^ Smith, Scott (September 1, 2021). "Ryan Griffin, Antonio Hamilton Among Bucs' Cuts to Get to 53". Buccaneers.com.
  31. ^ Smith, Scott (September 1, 2021). "Bucs Sign Ryan Griffin, Nine Others to Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com.
  32. ^ Smith, Scott (January 8, 2022). "Grayson Promotion, Stinnie Activation Among Saturday Moves". Buccaneers.com.
  33. ^ Smith, Scott (August 25, 2022). "Bucs Sign Genard Avery, Lend Experience to LB Corps". Buccaneers.com.
  34. ^ "Browns sign WR Cyril Grayson to their practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. November 8, 2022.
  35. ^ "Browns sign DE Isaac Rochell to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. November 15, 2022.
  36. ^ @USFLStars (May 30, 2023). "Free Agent Signing" (Tweet). Retrieved May 30, 2023 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  38. ^ Reports, Staff (January 6, 2024). "UFL Dispersal Draft Results for Former XFL, USFL Teams". Sports Illustrated UFL on FanNation News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 8, 2024.

External links

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio
  • LSU Tigers bio
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV champions