{{Short description|American football player (born 1987)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Cecil Shorts | image = Cecil Shorts III.jpg | caption = Shorts with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 | current_team = | number = 84, 18, 10 | position = Wide receiver | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|12|22}} | birth_place = Kent, Ohio, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lbs = 202 | high_school = Collinwood (Cleveland, Ohio) | college = Mount Union (2006–2010) | draftyear = 2011 | draftround = 4 | draftpick = 114 | pastteams = * Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2014}}) * Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2015}}) * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2016}}) | highlights = * 2× NCAA Division III national champion (2006, 2008) * 2× First-team Little All-American (2009, 2010) * D3Football.com Offensive Player of the Year (2009) | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = 229 | statlabel2 = Receiving yards | statvalue2 = 2,979 | statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = 14 | pfr = ShorCe00 }} '''Cecil Carlon Shorts III''' (born December 22, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He attended Collinwood High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and later played college football for the Mount Union Purple Raiders football team. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.
==Early life== Shorts attended Collinwood High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he played quarterback on the football team that his father, Cecil Shorts, Jr., coached.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner, Jamie |date=October 4, 2008 |title=Shorts, Kmic lead offensive avalanche as Mount Union overwhelms Baldwin-Wallace, 48–3 |work=The Plain Dealer |url=http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2008/10/shorts_kmic_lead_offensive_ava.html |access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="cantonrep">{{Cite news |last=Popovich, Mike |date=August 12, 2009 |title=Mount Union's Cecil Shorts III may get shot at his old QB position |work=cantonrep.com |url=http://www.cantonrep.com/college/x1591365979/Mount-Unions-Cecil-Shorts-III-may-get-shot-at-his-old-QB-position |url-status=dead |access-date=September 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310165840/http://www.cantonrep.com/college/x1591365979/Mount-Unions-Cecil-Shorts-III-may-get-shot-at-his-old-QB-position |archive-date=March 10, 2011}}</ref>
==College career== During his freshman season at the University of Mount Union, Shorts suffered an injury that kept him from playing the entire year. In 2007, he was the backup quarterback, along with Kurt Rocco, to Greg Micheli, but was 16 of 24 passing for 209 yards, made 12 receptions, three for a touchdown, for 289 and ran for 108 yards with two touchdowns in 14 games played. Shorts switched to wide receiver after Pierre Garçon graduated, and immediately became the top receiver for Mount Union. In 2008, Shorts caught 77 passes for 1,484 yards and 23 touchdowns, which set an Ohio Athletic Conference record.<ref name="cantonrep" /> Shorts helped Mount Union win their 10th NCAA Division III National Championship, at Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl XXXVI.
In 2009, he was named the D3Football.com National Offensive Player of the Year after recording 100 receptions for 1,736 yards with 19 touchdowns. For his efforts, he earned ''Associated Press'' first-team Little All-America honors following the season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2009 |title=ACU OL Washington named Little All-American |work=reporternews.com |url=http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/dec/17/acu-ol-washington-named-little-all-american/ |url-status=dead |access-date=September 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301134035/http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/dec/17/acu-ol-washington-named-little-all-american/ |archive-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> In the 2009 NCAA Division III National Football Championship on December 19, 2009, against the UW–Whitewater Warhawks, Shorts caught 10 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. The Purple Raiders lost, however, by a score of 38–28.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 21, 2009 |title=Warhawks charge to D-III title |work=Beloit Daily News |url=http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2009/12/21/sports/local_sports/sports2106.txt |access-date=September 2, 2010}}</ref>
In 2010, Shorts' play was hampered by an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in three games. He finished the season with 18 receiving touchdowns, three return touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He earned ''Associated Press'' first-team Little All-America honors for the second consecutive year following the season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pluto |first=Terry |author-link=Terry Pluto |date=December 17, 2010 |title=Mount Union's Cecil Shorts III might have NFL in future: Terry Pluto |url=http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2010/12/mount_unions_cecil_shorts_iii.html |access-date=April 16, 2011 |work=The Plain Dealer}}</ref> Shorts had 4,705 receiving yards for 63 touchdowns in his career.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Legwold |first=Jeff |date=March 30, 2011 |title=Mount Union WR Cecil Shorts long on talent for NFL draft |url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_17728394 |access-date=April 16, 2011 |work=The Denver Post}}</ref> He was considered a top wide receiver prospect in the 2011 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts III |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1662349 |access-date=September 1, 2010 |website=cbssports.com}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 3/4 | weight = 205 | dash = 4.50 | ten split = 1.51 | twenty split = 2.55 | shuttle = 4.07 | cone drill = 6.50 | vertical = 34.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 6 | bench = 21 | wonderlic = | arm span = 31 5/8 | hand span = 9 1/4 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 1 7/8 | note = All values from 2011 NFL Scouting Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cecil-shorts/32005348-4f72-7038-d0b9-c5091b04397f |title=Cecil Shorts Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 19, 2026}}</ref><ref name="nflds">{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts III, DS #22 WR, Mount Union |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=89141&DraftYear=2011 |access-date=April 16, 2011 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2011/rounds/4 |title=Draft Tracker 2011 |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 19, 2026}}</ref> }}
===Jacksonville Jaguars=== Shorts was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 114th overall pick (4th round) in the 2011 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oehser |first=John |date=April 30, 2011 |title=Shorts is Jags first 4th round pick |url=http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-1/Shorts-is-Jags-first-4th-round-pick/CE923E11-C0BD-43FE-9281-92A7E71DF99E |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808054938/http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-1/Shorts-is-Jags-first-4th-round-pick/CE923E11-C0BD-43FE-9281-92A7E71DF99E |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=June 19, 2016 |website=www.jaguars.com}}</ref> Shorts is the highest drafted player in Mount Union history and first player drafted by the Jaguars from a Division III school in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mount Union Drafted Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/mountunion/drafted.htm |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> Shorts played sparingly in his rookie season, catching only two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown in 10 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShorCe00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> He missed the final six games in 2011 with a hamstring injury.<ref name="b522">{{cite web | last=Stellino | first=Vito | title=The anatomy of a catch: Cecil Shorts finally showing promise | website=Florida Times-Union | date=2012-09-13 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/09/13/anatomy-catch-cecil-shorts-finally-showing-promise/15854728007/ | access-date=2024-11-05}}</ref> In 2012, despite Jacksonville sharing an NFL-worst record of 2–14 with the Kansas City Chiefs, Shorts was a bright spot, leading the team in receiving yards (979), yards per reception (17.8), and touchdowns (7), with five touchdowns going for 40 yards or longer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2012.htm |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 24, 2012, due to a concussion.<ref name="c894">{{cite web | title=Cecil Shorts joins Jacksonville Jaguars mates on IR | website=NFL.com | date=2012-12-26 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cecil-shorts-joins-jacksonville-jaguars-mates-on-ir-0ap1000000117125 | access-date=2024-11-05}}</ref> In Week 3 of the 2013 season, Shorts had eight receptions for a career-high 143 yards in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks.<ref name="i209">{{cite web | last=Cwik | first=Chris | title=Cecil Shorts has a big game against Seahawks | website=CBSSports.com | date=2013-09-23 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cecil-shorts-has-a-big-game-against-seahawks/ | access-date=2024-11-05}}</ref> In the 2013 season, Shorts recorded 66 catches for 777 yards and three touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShorCe00/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on December 17, 2013, with a groin injury.<ref name="m655">{{cite web | last=Hurcomb | first=Michael | title=Cecil Shorts finishes 2013 season on IR | website=CBSSports.com | date=2013-12-17 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cecil-shorts-finishes-2013-season-on-ir/ | access-date=2024-11-05}}</ref> In the 2014 season, Shorts finished with 53 receptions for 557 yards and one touchdown in 13 appearances and starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShorCe00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> Shorts became a free agent after the 2014 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butchko |first=John |date=2015-03-12 |title=Jets Reach Out to Cecil Shorts |url=https://www.ganggreennation.com/2015/3/12/8205089/jets-reach-out-to-cecil-shorts |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Gang Green Nation|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}</ref>
===Houston Texans=== On March 16, 2015, Shorts signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Houston Texans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=March 16, 2015 |title=Houston Texans sign former Jags wideout Cecil Shorts |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/houston-texans-sign-former-jags-wideout-cecil-shorts-0ap3000000479305 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> On November 22, 2015, Shorts threw a touchdown pass to running back Alfred Blue on a trick play against the New York Jets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400791665|title=Jets vs. Texans - Game Summary - November 22, 2015 - ESPN}}</ref> In the 2015 season, he finished with 42 receptions for 484 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games and four starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShorCe00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> On June 18, 2016, Shorts signed a pay cut reducing his salary to $1.2 million with $750,000 in bonuses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=June 18, 2016 |title=Cecil Shorts takes pay cut to remain with Texans |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cecil-shorts-takes-pay-cut-to-remain-with-texans-0ap3000000670430 |access-date=June 19, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Texans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2016 |title=TRANSACTIONS: Texans down to 53-man roster |url=http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/TRANSACTIONS-Texans-down-to-53-man-roster/134830f6-5c30-4d46-9d18-8cbd723fb17f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826234400/http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/TRANSACTIONS-Texans-down-to-53-man-roster/134830f6-5c30-4d46-9d18-8cbd723fb17f |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |website=HoustonTexans.com}}</ref>
=== Tampa Bay Buccaneers === On September 6, 2016, Shorts was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |title=Cecil Shorts Adds Experience to WR Ranks |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Cecil-Shorts-Adds-Experience-to-WR-Ranks/c1e2e5cd-495a-43cb-a224-7225700ca681 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909021348/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Cecil-Shorts-Adds-Experience-to-WR-Ranks/c1e2e5cd-495a-43cb-a224-7225700ca681 |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on December 6, 2016, after tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=December 6, 2016 |title=Josh Huff Promoted to Replace Cecil Shorts |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/josh-huff-promoted-to-replace-cecil-shorts-18216783 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> In the 2016 season, he appeared in nine games and made five starts. He finished with 11 receptions for 152 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cecil Shorts 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShorCe00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
===NFL statistics=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year !! Team !! GP !! GS !! REC !! YDs !! AVG !! TD |- ! 2011 || JAX | 10 || 0 || 2 || 30 || 15.0 || 1 |- ! 2012 || JAX | 14 || 9 || 55 || 979 || 17.8 || 7 |- ! 2013 || JAX | 13 || 13 || 66 || 777 || 11.8 || 3 |- ! 2014 || JAX | 13 || 12 || 53 || 557 || 10.5 || 1 |- ! 2015 || HOU | 11 || 4 || 42 || 484 || 11.5 || 2 |- ! 2016 || TB | 9 || 5 || 11 || 152 || 13.8 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShorCe00.htm Career] || 70 || 43 || 229 || 2,979 || 13.0 || 14 |}
==Post NFL== In 2025, Shorts was hired as the head football coach for Houston Christian High School. He has also served as a spokesperson for the Houston Food Bank and the United Way.<ref>{{cite web | last=Villamarzo | first=Andy | title=Texas high school football team names former NFL WR as head coach | website=Yahoo! Sports | date=2025-12-19 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/texas-high-school-football-team-152719339.html | access-date=2026-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2025 |title=Houston Christian High School Appoints Cecil Shorts III as Head Football Coach |url=https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Houston-Christian-High-School-Appoints-Cecil-Shorts-III-as-Head-Football-Coach.html?soid=1102557630521&aid=r4NoWlIa2jk |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=Houston Christian High School |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{footballstats|espn=14184|yahoo=24901}} *[http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/2010-11/bios/shorts%20iii%20cecil%20p63z Mount Union Purple Raiders football bio]
{{Jaguars2011DraftPicks}} {{2006 Mount Union Purple Raiders football navbox}} {{2008 Mount Union Purple Raiders football navbox}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shorts, Cecil}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Cleveland Category:American football wide receivers Category:American football quarterbacks Category:American football return specialists Category:Mount Union Purple Raiders football players Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players Category:Houston Texans players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players