Central Georgia alums from Stratford, West Laurens, John Milledge, Houston County, Warner Robins face NFL cuts, job hunt

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          Some Central Georgia high school football alums are back in the NFL job market, and a few others hope to move back up the ladder.

          NFL teams made their final roster cuts last Tuesday, getting  down to the 53-player limit, putting about 1,200 players out of a job, many temporarily.

          Stratford grad Quintez Cephus is currently looking again.

          He was signed and released by the L.A. Rams this summer, and then signed by Houston.

          He was let go as part of the final cuts in Houston last week despite a good outing against Detroit – four catches, 51 yards - in an exhibition in which he made a highlight-reel touchdown catch.

          Picked in the sixth round by Detroit in 2020, the 27-year-old has spent time with Buffalo, Houston, and the Rams.

          John Milledge’s Harrison Bryant was traded from Philadelphia – where signed in March - to Houston in mid Augusta and made it to the final cut, when he was released as part of the final cut, as part of “a procedural move given that he’s a vested veteran”, as per NBC Sports.

But he was re-signed a few days later and is on the practice squad. In that Detroit game, he had two catches for 13 yards.

          West Laurens’ D’Eryk Jackson was undrafted, but signed by Seattle. The former Kentucky linebacker made it to the last cut with the Seahawks and was eligible for the practice squad, but wasn’t listed there as of Sunday.

          Houston County’s Wesley Steiner is listed on the Seattle roster under “reserve/injured” category and as a fullback, going back to his days at Houston County.

          He’ll remain on injured reserve all season. No injury has been disclosed.

          Steiner played four seasons at Auburn and one at Washington State, mostly as an experienced backup at linebacker and on special teams.

          Seattle moved him to fullback after signing him following his release by the Raiders.

          Warner Robins’ Marquez Callaway, another veterans, was let go last Monday by Las Vegas. Since signing as an undrafted free agent by New Orleans in 2020, he has been with Denver, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco.

          He wasn’t listed on the Raider’s practice squad on Sunday.