ICYMI: Penn State WR Dante Cephas makes the Biletnikoff Award Watch List

There is a lot riding on the wide receiver room for the Penn State football team in 2023. There were some concerns over the offseason that the room lacked experience with KeAndre Lambert-Smith the lone WR that had significant playing time. So, James Franklin looked into the transfer portal and added Malik McClain and Dante Cephas. But Cephas has higher expectations headed into fall camp, as he was a top transfer portal target for several power five schools, and now has been added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.

Dante Cephas → Biletnikoff Award Watch List#WeAre | @FouLceph pic.twitter.com/PuyRLDDE84

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 7, 2023

Penn State WR Dante Cephas selected to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List

The Biletnikoff Award is given to the best receiver at the FBS level of college football each season. That means a tight end, wide receiver, or even a running back could win this award as it is not only dedicated to wide receivers. In 2022, Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt won the award after pulling in 67 receptions for 1267 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Now, Penn State WR Dante Cephas has a chance to capture that award this fall.

Cephas is adjusting to Big Ten football according to head coach James Franklin, but that doesn’t stop the fact that he’s a player that has 145 career receptions and that he has been effective against some of the best power five teams in the country. Cephas is starting to build chemistry with Drew Allar while perfecting his craft with wide receiver coach Marques Hagans.

In order for the Penn State football team to have a successful campaign in 2023, Cephas will need to have a massive season and become the Wr1A or WR1B with KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Dante Cephas fits in well at Penn State according to James Franklin

During the Penn State football media day James Franklin was asked about what has he seen from Dante Cephas now that he has had the chance to practice with the team during fall camp. Franklin said “He’s done some really good things. He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. The guys like him, the guy’s got a ton of respect for him.”

It’s excellent to hear that Cephas has been welcomed into the position room. Jealousy coming from younger players wouldn’t shock you at all as they are trying to compete for a larger role, but hearing that Cephas fits into the room and is shown respect says a lot about the team’s culture and how mature the wide receivers are.

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