Penn State Football Newcomer Ranked Among Top-15 in Nation by ESPN

Penn State Football kicks off the 2023 season against West Virginia in a matter of weeks, and the Nittany Lions could see key contributions from some major additions made over the offseason through the transfer portal.

As the season nears, ESPN ranked their top-50 2023 college football newcomers: freshmen and transfers, with Penn State wide receiver Dante Cephas coming in at No. 15.

Cephas transferred from Kent State earlier this spring.

“The process was crazy,” Cephas told reporters Sunday at Penn State Football Media Day, in his first interview since his transfer. “That was a big process for me. I picked Penn State because it felt like home. I also have two high school teammates (defensive back Daequan Hardy and Tank Smith from Penn Hills in Pittsburgh) that play here.”

Cephas led Kent State in 2021 with 1,240 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He was second on the team last season with 744 yards and three touchdowns.

Back in 2021, Cephas averaged 15.1 yards per reception, and improved that number to 15.5 in 2022.

At Kent State, Cephas was a two-time All conference
receiver.

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Dante Cephas’ Major Opportunity for Penn State Football

The Nittany Lions lost their top two receivers from last year, Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, to the NFL.

Cephas will have plenty of opportunities to make plays for the Nittany Lions offense this season. He will need to develop chemistry with new Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar, throughout the rest of training camp and as the season nears.

But, Cephas is a reliable intermediate route receiver that can be used as a safety blanket for Allar.

If Cephas can be consistent, the Penn State aerial attack could turn some heads this season.

Cephas has been having a good fall camp; he looks bigger and stronger so far.

“He’s done some really good things,” Penn State coach James Franklin told readingeagle.com. “He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. The guys have a ton of respect for him. He’s shown flashes.”

Cephas has shown a great work ethic and the ability to want to learn, which will bold well for Penn State in 2023.