Dante Cephas to 'heighten' Penn State receiver room
From Kent State to Penn State football, a transitionary period is expected of the jump. And for Dante Cephas, the Nittany Lions’ prize transfer receiver this offseason now working through his first weeks in the program, the sentiment holds.
Only partially, though.
Meeting with the media on Thursday this week, Penn State head coach James Franklin described a level of training “different” from what Cephas had experienced previously. But, for the 6-foot, 185-pound target, the new challenge is an opportunity for growth more than anything.
“I do think this level of training, no knock to anybody else or other programs or other schools, I do think this is different for him,” Franklin said. “And I think in a lot of ways, that’s exciting because the lifting and the running is at a very different level. I think his body really has a chance to explode and develop over the time that hopefully we have him. So far, so good.”
Showing ability
Ranked as the No. 8 receiver in the On3 Transfer Portal rankings, though, Cephas’ game is less in question.
Coming out of a four-year career with the Golden Flashes, Cephas tallied 145 catches for 2,139 yards and 12 touchdowns. Now, performing with his new Penn State teammates, and via limited interactions with the coaching staff, his ability has been on display.
“At the end of the day, he’s a good football player,” receivers coach Marques Hagans said Thursday. “I think the biggest challenge for him is just getting acclimated to everything that we do around here and making sure that he’s on top of those things. But, as far as the football aspect, he’s come right in and embraced the culture of the room.”
From the jump, that’d been Cehpas’ intention in his decision to join the Nittany Lion program. Welcoming the improved competition, both within the receivers room as well as in Penn State’s opponents, that original notion has come to play out.
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“I just wanted to get around more talent and test myself. Be around guys on the offensive side of the ball and showcase that I can do it against anybody, not just at Kent State,” Cephas told BWI last month. “I was really trying to go to the offense that fit me the most. And I think Penn State had a good offense when I sat down and talked to them about it. I think it was a good choice for me.”
Dante Cephas meshes early
Surveying Penn State’s coaches, the mutual embrace has been propelled by Cephas’ personality.
Described as quiet and humble, with pre-existing friendships with new teammates, Cephas’ presence has created a secondary dividend beyond his impact.
“He is a really unique young man who just loves football, loves to play football. He’s always asking questions and learning and I think he’s a great addition to our room,” Hagans said. “I think he’s gonna heighten the level of competition. He’s here for a reason, obviously. And I think the guys have embraced him. He’s embraced the guys and I think the level of competition has only risen. That’s a great thing because competition is a great thing.
“I think he’s gonna do really well. What that role is, I don’t know. That’ll be left to be determined by him. But I’m really glad we have him in the room.”
