FB Recruiting Penn State finds game changing WR in Kent State’s Dante Cephas

[jabba2]

As is often the case, you're a little shaky on the facts, Wally.

Stats for Cephas per game in 2022 were close in catches and yardage to those of Walker; Cephas played in 9 games, Walker 12.
Cephas had a huge season in 2021 --- 82 catches for 1240 yards and 9 TDs. Is that enough to be considered a "game breaker at Kent State" -- I'd say so.

2021 Football Cumulative Statistics - Kent State Golden Flashes

The official 2021 Football cumulative statistics for the Kent State University Golden Flashes

kentstatesports.com

Yeah, his numbers look legit. Cephas had 82 receptions for 1200 yards in '21. If he's not a gamebreaker, (neither was Tinsley at PSU) perfectly fine if Cephas can fit in as a possession receiver.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Yeah, his numbers look legit. Cephas had 82 receptions for 1200 yards in '21. If he's not a gamebreaker, (neither was Tinsley at PSU) perfectly fine if Cephas can fit in as a possession receiver.

He is a legit player and will likely be our #1 receiver. I just don't think he is a game changer like the article title leads people to believe. Neither his numbers nor his film indicate he is but he will be an important contributor. As noted, he compares most favorably to DaeSean Hamilton.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Actually the clown show starts with your first post on any thread.

Nice try. It is not my fault a few posters are so heavily invested in Franklin's cult of personality that they can't handle an opinion that challenges their rose colored view.

 

[Obliviax]

Nice try. It is not my fault a few posters are so heavily invested in Franklin's cult of personality that they can't handle an opinion that challenges their rose colored view.

Here is what I like about Cephas. He's done it against tough competition that is PSU-class in the last two years. Last year Kent played (and these are all away games)

• Washington, Cephas had 6 receptions for 105 yards
• Oklahoma, 4 for 50 yards
• Georgia, 3 for 25 (edited)

in 2021

• Texas A&M, 3 for 21
• Iowa, 2 for 8
• Maryland, 10 for 151

With inferior teammates to what he will see at PSU, these are stats that even the best PSU WRs would be envious of. He was first team all-MAC as a RS Soph. with 82 catches for 1,240 yards. Last year he was AGAIN first team all MAC (with teams defending to stop him as one of their best players) with 48 catches for 744 yards.

My point is that the kid has done it against top competition and over two years. He isn't a surprise, can play at this level and has been consistent. He's 6-1 and approaching 200 lbs. He'll have two years left and will be a stabilizing factor with Allar.

 

[bison13]

Here is what I like about Cephas. He's done it against tough competition that is PSU-class in the last two years. Last year Kent played (and these are all away games)

• Washington, Cephas had 6 receptions for 105 yards
• Oklahoma, 4 for 50 yards
• Georgia, 0 for 0

in 2012

• Texas A&M, 3 for 21
• Iowa, 2 for 8
• Maryland, 10 for 151

With inferior teammates to what he will see at PSU, these are stats that even the best PSU WRs would be envious of. He was first team all-MAC as a RS Soph. with 82 catches for 1,240 yards. Last year he was AGAIN first team all MAC (with teams defending to stop him as one of their best players) with 48 catches for 744 yards.

My point is that the kid has done it against top competition and over two years. He isn't a surprise, can play at this level and has been consistent. He's 6-1 and approaching 200 lbs. He'll have two years left and will be a stabilizing factor with Allar.

2012? Was he in Clifford’s recruiting class? Ha

 

[Obliviax]

2012? Was he in Clifford’s recruiting class? Ha

Ha! I just changed that before I saw your post. On Sean Clifford, why didn't Joe Paterno start him?

 

[GregInPitt]

Anyone know if Cephas actually signed a LOI, or if he is still free game until he actually enrolls at PSU??

 

[WPB_lion]

Here is what I like about Cephas. He's done it against tough competition that is PSU-class in the last two years. Last year Kent played (and these are all away games)

• Washington, Cephas had 6 receptions for 105 yards
• Oklahoma, 4 for 50 yards
• Georgia, 0 for 0

in 2021

• Texas A&M, 3 for 21
• Iowa, 2 for 8
• Maryland, 10 for 151

With inferior teammates to what he will see at PSU, these are stats that even the best PSU WRs would be envious of. He was first team all-MAC as a RS Soph. with 82 catches for 1,240 yards. Last year he was AGAIN first team all MAC (with teams defending to stop him as one of their best players) with 48 catches for 744 yards.

My point is that the kid has done it against top competition and over two years. He isn't a surprise, can play at this level and has been consistent. He's 6-1 and approaching 200 lbs. He'll have two years left and will be a stabilizing factor with Allar.

Agreed and I am looking forward to what he can add as well. He had 3 catches for 25 yards against Georgia, not 0 for 0. I would also like to point out he only played 9 games last year.

The point about inferior teamates means a ton when it comes to the passing game. Three things need to go right to get a reception. (1) There needs to be enough time to get the pass off, (2) the pass needs to be placed in an area where it can be caught, and (3) the pass needs to be caught. Against Georgia, I would imagine the defensive line was causing havoc that made 1 and 2 very difficult.

 

[GregInPitt]

Agreed and I am looking forward to what he can add as well. He had 3 catches for 25 yards against Georgia, not 0 for 0. I would also like to point out he only played 9 games last year.

The point about inferior teamates means a ton when it comes to the passing game. Three things need to go right to get a reception. (1) There needs to be enough time to get the pass off, (2) the pass needs to be placed in an area where it can be caught, and (3) the pass needs to be caught. Against Georgia, I would imagine the defensive line was causing havoc that made 1 and 2 very difficult.

For sure your points about the requirements is well taken. But the WR either has to have the ability to create separation from the coverage or the WR has to be very strong in his ability to make contested catches.

Creating separation comes in two skill sets as well. Being able to beat DB's in man-to-man coverage, i.e. getting off the line when pressured and then using moves and/or speed to create separation enough for the QB to have a decent window to throw to is one aspect. But also having the game sense to sit down in an open area of a zone defense is another skill set.

But I do attribute some of the WR struggles to Clifford's lack of accuracy during his PSU career. The blatant over throws of the long passes after the WR worked hard to get a couple or up to 5 yards of separation were the result of long pass attempts more often than not. And his accuracy on the medium routes was also pretty poor in stretchs of many games. He had an excellent game in the Rose bowl and coincidently the WR's looked very good as well. Hmmm. (although his first deep ball in the first half was way overthrown and at that point I was under the impression, "here we go again....").

I trust the coaches and they seem intent on the fact that PSU needs more talent at WR for 2023. But I'm also under the opinion that better QB play will result in more passing yardage with similar WR talent as was on the field in 2022. Unfortunately with both Washington and Tinsley gone and not much in the way of young WR's stepping up within their limited opportunities in 2022 this backs up the need for additional proven WR production to be added to the roster.

JMO. Sorry for the ramble......

 

[IndianaNittanyLion]

Thank you, Obliv, GregPitt and WPB Lion. These last posts actually contributed substance to the thread, rather than the inane bashing of others. I am tired of reading posts by adults who act like children and who are offended if someone simply disagrees.

 

[Obliviax]

Agreed and I am looking forward to what he can add as well. He had 3 catches for 25 yards against Georgia, not 0 for 0. I would also like to point out he only played 9 games last year.

The point about inferior teamates means a ton when it comes to the passing game. Three things need to go right to get a reception. (1) There needs to be enough time to get the pass off, (2) the pass needs to be placed in an area where it can be caught, and (3) the pass needs to be caught. Against Georgia, I would imagine the defensive line was causing havoc that made 1 and 2 very difficult.

yep...sorry, the web site I saw was the Kent football site and it had him zero for zero but did say he participated but didn't have any trackable stats.

Regardless, if you are preparing for Kent and you've got an All-MAC receiver, I am guessing you put your best cover person on him and lean a S that way. But if you've got Pat Friermuth, Jahan Dotson in the slot and kaytron Allen coming out of the backfield, now you have to make a decision as to who you cover with a CB, a S and a LB. Who gets single covered, who covers short in a zone, etc. Lots of potential confusion, the offense starts to run motions to take a guy who lines up as a WR and ends up running the play out of the slot....so much to cover and go on. FortheBloggy said that he either ran a fly or a hitch. That was Kent's move. Against one team, they kept covering him deep so he completed something like 12 hitch patterns in a row for 150-ish yards. Funny stuff.

Regardless, PSU will make him a better WR and he'll make PSU a better passing team. He might not be the guy to "take the top off" (meaning he may not have top end speed) but he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with

 

[Obliviax]

Thank you, Obliv, GregPitt and WPB Lion. These last posts actually contributed substance to the thread, rather than the inane bashing of others. I am tired of reading posts by adults who act like children and who are offended if someone simply disagrees.

ha! to summarize my post (and with the recommended change vs GA) Cephus had 180 yards against 3 nationally ranked opponents. He average 60 yards per game against GA (#1), Washington (#8) and Oklahoma.