Pitt FB Recruiting
Kent State Transfer WR Dante Cephas Commits to Penn State
Pitt’s pursuit of Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas ended with the former WPIAL star landing at Penn State.
PSU’s receiving corps got stronger Sunday when former Kent State WR Dante Cephas came over from the transfer portal.
BE HERE NOW🌎 pic.twitter.com/bk2wObLzBl
— Dante Cephas (@FouLceph) January 16, 2023
Cephas (6-foot-1, 186 pounds) had his best year in 2021 when he caught 82 passes for 1,240 yards and nine touchdowns. This past season he caught 48 catches for 744 yards for the Golden Flashes.
Cephas will bring a veteran presence to a group that returns KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Trey Wallace, Liam Clifford and incoming freshman Carmelo Taylor. Penn State was looking for a receiver that is a proven commotiy that can help with the transition from Sean Clifford to Drew Allar, and the flip of Devin Carter from Penn State to West Virginia amplified the need.
Another thing Dante Cephas brings to the table is that he’s an in-state product. He went to Penn High School, was in the same recruiting class Daequan Hardy went to school with current Penn State running back Tank Smith.
Penn State has its third player from the transfer portal with Riley Thomson, a punter from Florida International, and Storm Duck, a cornerback from Nort0h Carolina.
The news of Cephas committing came about a half hour after news got out of Taylor Stubblefield being fired as Penn State’s receivers coach. Stubblefield had been in the role for three seasons.
In his statement, Stubblefield wrote that it had been a “privilege to work alongside some of the great minds in all of college football.”
”Lastly, to the community who supported who has supported my wife and son through her father’s recent illness and passing on Friday, there is no way we can adequately thank you,” he wrote. “This community has exceeded every expectation.”
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
Wait, so the Wide Receivers coach’s Father-in-law dies on Friday, and they fire him on Sunday?!? Way to stay classy there Franklin.
Sounds about right for this staff..
We really need to add help ASAP. This receiving core is in no way ready to compete at the top of the ACC.
That’s for sure. Receivers are going to be a huge weakness unless something changes
There is an obvious reason receivers are not selecting Pitt. Our coaches have no clue on how to develop a passing game.
exactly
Your a🤡
So pitt has had 1 conference championship, 2 Heisman Trophy candidate, 3 top Wr in last 2 years… yeah your bow in your chest out on a Kent state transfer😂😂😂 what have they done?
Jane you try to talk football like Tarzan (see what I did there) and extoll pitt successes, but you always show your lack of knowledge and come back to Jane. Do you want a golf clap for a conference championship and 2 players who had no shot at Heisman? You let Addison walk for 3 million, JV move from JV program. They better figure out NIL or will be left behind. I’ll let you look up Cephas stats to see what he’s done.
Not like you… they know what there doing just not giving money away.. amd the other not Worth my time 🤡
You continue to make zero sense. You call “giving money away” to Addison? Serious question, you don’t think the 3 million Addison would have been paid wasn’t a good investment in the program?
Stop … we have had to pretty good ones last 2 years
The decision made by Cephas to attend Penn State is a big miss for Pitt. It comes on the heels of so much good news in regards to local kids coming home. If a Penn Hills kid in Cephas joined the others it would have been the perfect end to the portal season. Your statement in regards to Pitt’s inability to develop a passing game might be true, but I will hold judgement until after Cignetti has the opportunity to install his offense with his players. However, let’s not exaggerate Pitts demise. To state that Pitt can not develop a… Read more »
Plan “A” is always better than a Plan “B”. Huge swing and Miss by Pitt.
Cignetti is a huge disappointment. If you need multiple seasons to “install” an offense in college, then you are running the wrong offense. All anyone is doing by saying he “needs more time” is getting him to his next contract.
H2P
Obviously Plan A is better than Plan B. I can not agree with the statement that Cignetti is a huge disappointment based off of one season. Again, he has been the OC for one season and not multiple seasons. Remember he accepted the job after Narduzzi made the push to bring Slovis in to replace Pickett. We now have a Narduzzi approved and encouraged offense with Cignetti. We are beginning to see the type of players needed to run this offense being recruited. You might be correct in your hope that Cignetti is a disappointment but I feel confident that… Read more »
those 225 lb walk on OL articles are being written about should have Coach Borbely earning his money
What on earth are you taking about
If you don’t know then I can’t help you Jane.
exactly Burton…
Canada, still has not installed a passing attack for the steelers and he is going in to his 3rd year.
Not signing a kid that was a 2 star out of school, is undersized and is transferring from a MAC school is a miss? They didn’t exactly miss out on Jerry Rice here. Look, you have to be judicious with NIL money, this kid was not worth what he was asking. State Penn went that far to sign him because they really don’t produce WR’s, have a new OB coming in and may have finally figured out that being roadkill for OSU and UM won’t change with the three yrds and a cloud of dust offense. Pitt has plenty of… Read more »
Please explain how losing out on an undersized, former 2 star WR out the MAC is such a tragic loss? There’s a large difference between playing in the MAC and the ACC. This kid is no loss.
Obviously only time will tell if the loss of Cephas to Penn State is a big deal. The biggest loss is Wayne. I suspect his loss on the field will be filled with the players currently on the roster, the incoming freshman, and a transfer waiting to see what Cephas was going to do. What I find as the biggest loss is the optics. In this most recent portal cycle is a group of former WPIAL players that left the area and Pitt for bigger names only to return to Pittsburgh and Pitt led by Phil Jurkovec and the others.… Read more »
It isn’t a big deal ..that what’s making it a big deal who he went too ( who cares ) 🙄
So he’ll block, eat dirt for three years and end up selling used cars. His problem, not ours. Hope his NIL money lasts him,he won’t see that again.
You do know that PSU threw for more yards than shi*t did last year and threw for 29 TD’s vs. pitt 13. Seems like your above comments are directed at the cig offense? pitt has zero nil strategy which is a huge problem in today’s NCAA landscape
i agree with you regarding Wayne, but programs like Pitt have contingency plans in place for things like this.
Believe it or not, Pitt is probably in better position to deal with this than most P5 teams. Duzz’s recruiting classes always get criticized because he gets a lot of 3 star ids, but you’re missing the point; he gets a lot of 3 stars from football hotbeds like FLA, These kids are 4-5 star in most other areas of the country, and can adapt to play multiple positions.
Trust me they’re fine.
I get what you’re saying,but the WPIAL isn’t the fertile recruiting ground that iit once was. When they do have 4 and 5 star kids, you get pretty much at least 10-15 P5 teams competing for those players. My wife’s niece graduated with Dorin Dickerson, for example. They were good friends and he told her alot about the recruiting process, and trust me alot of these programs van be flat out dirty, including State Penn. In Dorin’s case, his parents were invilved in the process and felt Pitt was his best option and he went there. Jurkovec, on the other… Read more »
I understand what you are saying a agree with you. Integrity, honesty and roll up your sleeves and work hard are concepts not present in much of college football. This is why I respect Pat Narduzzi, his staff and the program he created … they exemplify those traits that I value. This is why as a Pitt graduate that has followed Pitt football since the early 1970’s I am proud. In my opinion, this is why you see so many three star recruits come to Pitt and succeed. They have a determination, work ethic and raw ability that Pat and… Read more »
Thanks for that long press release Mrs. Narduzzi
And your point is?
Seriously, Pat told me not to give such a long dissertation since it might out me as his significant other.
My point is that Narduzzi might not be producing a top five caliber program but does produce one that we can be proud of. He is able to do this with mostly three star recruits that most “big name” programs overlook speaks to something special.
Gotcha…I like your sense of humor here, kudos for not being so uptight like the rest of the posters here.
I agree, not a top caliber program. 6-8 wins a year and a low tier bowl is good for teams like pitt, then every 15 or so years you get a 10 win season to enjoy.
Now is the point I question if this is an intelligent conversation or if you are just uneducated, to biased to see the truth or just not worth the time in responding. Pitt under Pat Narduzzi is not a 6 win team. Under his tenure Pitt has averaged slightly under 8 wins per year. If you look at trends he has one of the top programs win wise during the past two years with an average of 10. His team is positioned to be very successful next season as well. This is being accomplished with an average recruiting class rank… Read more »
2021- 82 catches for 1240 and 9 TD’s
Georgia offered when he hit the portal
Doesn’t need elite speed, PSU has it already on the outside. He’s a Tinsley replacement and 3 million (if that) is nothing to PSU and it’s NIL coffers.
Wait, Ed are you saying college football recruiting is a dirty business? Thanks for breaking the story, never heard that before. Good job Sherlock, glad your wife’s niece solved the case.
MAC and ACC are about the same. That’s why Cephas transferred to the BigTen. Why make a lateral move when you can upgrade. Same is true for Davis and McMillon. They showed they can’t get on the field at SEC (which is same level as BigTen) so they drop down to ACC where they know they will see the field.
So it’s a coincidence that they’re last QB was a first round pick and starts in the NFL? Or that they’ve put multiple WR’s in the NFL? What sport are you watching Slovis did not perform well in the offense because he doesn’t fir the offense, he’s a spread QB instead of pro set, which Pitt runs. That’s why Jurkovec and the former PSU kid transferred here’ Cignetti will develop them into NFL ready QB’s. All that happens at State Penn is that the QB becomes dept at three yards and a cloud of dust, Kinda why you don’t see… Read more »
agreed. Hammond and Phil are going to get mauled next year. Zero playmakers on the outside or TE
Talk like this is why they play the game …it’s not played on a sports site….
Umm, you really have no idea of what you’re talking about. You’d think if you want to be a troll you’d at least try knowing something.
Oh Reese26 (you must be a Saquon fan, smart man),
I’ve forgotten more about football than you will ever know. I’ve also spent more money this year on spilt liquor in bars from one side of the world to the other, than you’ve made in a lifetime. Woooooooo!
Really? The knowledge you display is that of a five year old, or your basic Sate Penn fan. Good for you spending money in bars, glad you think that’s an accomplishment. I ran a successful law and investment practice that I established on my own for the last 20 years after retiring from the army as a combat vet with two purple hearts, two bronze stars and a silver star. I’m retired now after making sure both of my children are well educated,(daughter is a special ed teacher in our area, son is an engineer in VA), and guess what,… Read more »
jesus Reeses Pieces lighten up. If you can’t read the sarcasm in that tweet then I feel bad for you. Since you just gave your resume (I thank you for your service) I’ll let you know I don’t drink and it’s a famous Ric Flair promo. C’mon Reese, you can’t be this big of a stick in the mud? Have some fun in your golden years
Go pray to your JoePa statue moron. Pitt has most of their OL line back next year and has good depth at the position. As a typical State Penn troll. you really don’t understand the game do you halfwit. Let me explain this to you, offense all starts up front. Izzy had the season he did because of his OL, it’s kind of tough to make positive yards with no hole to hut, kind of why Hammond did well and why the offense really took off under Patti in the Bowl game. Try knowing something about the game before making… Read more »
Reese, I’m so glad you follow me and help me drive the activity on this site. You are the Robin to my Batman. I could do without all the name calling from you. As a lawyer and combat vet like you state I would expect more. Try to be a better example for the kids and lighten up on the personal insults. Or not, I don’t care. As long as you reply to everything I say it’s good. So easy here. Good on your OL return, but how’s the depth after years of 3*? Maybe those 225lb. walk-ons from Florida… Read more »
Hope what the trustees offered you is worth it Dante. You just threw away whatever prospects you had of being drafted with this move, State Penn doesn’t produce WR’s, never has bur I guess milkdud firing his receivers coach a day after his father died wasn’t enough of a hint.
Have fun blocking for the next three years, rarely receiving targets and selling cars for the rest of your life dimwit,
I hate psu, but they have put some decent wr in the league recently
Jordan Addison received $2,000,000 for one year at USC. Be curious what the going rate is at PS.
Cephas didn’t get that much NIL money, but if pitt isn’t stepping up then that’s on the school. It’s the world we live in today.
You know right
only 2 million? dumpy old shi*t couldn’t match or beat that little amount? jv programs let players like that walk for small sum of money
Again your delusional
I get a feeling players are getting over paid right now… use your money Wisely done pay for promise production … you’re still 🤡
Actually it was closer to 3 million
still a drop in the bucket and pitt blinked…JV mindset
Um no actually. See Cephas isn’t a difference maker if State Penn paid 3 bills to get a midget, 2 star MAC WR, who’s the sucker here.little hint it isn’t Pitt.
Pitt doesn’t play midget WR’s, he didn’t fit here. Have fun watching the twerp play special teams, hope that was worth 3 bills.
so angry Reese. Midget is a naughty word, I believe the PC term is “little person”?
How about that WR Godwin from PSU last night? 10 catches butthat bum Brady couldn’t help him. Gisecki with a TD, Saquon with 2 TD’s. How many will Miles Sanders get? So many PSU offensive players making plays in this year’s playoffs. Unrivaled!
you are just bitter and flat out lying.
KJ Hamler (Rd 2 in 2020), Jahan Dotson (Rd 1 in 2021), DeSean Hamilton, Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, etc. When was the last shi*t panther WR drafted? Tyler Boyd in 2016 or Devin Street (whoever that is) in 2014
He will catch passes from the best QB in the BigTen next year. Welcome home Dante, but there was never really a doubt.
I would also be careful throwing around the blocking comments. pitt has no TE or WR on the roster that can play so Hammond will be worn out next year.
Best QB in the Big 10? No QB prospect picks State Penn over OSU or UM. You remember them don’t you, the teams that leave tread marks on your heads every year,?
why don’t you look at the QB recruiting rankings and tell me where Allar was?
#westernmichigan
Who cares. has he played a snap yet? No he hasn’t, go back yo spilling drinks dingdong.
Oh Reese, he threw 4 TD’s last year silly. It seems like you care because you responded.
The firing receiver coach is kinda odd… and at the same time he commits to Penn State…. it’s very intriguing 🧐
I don’t like PSU, but look what Pitt WR/TEs ended up doing this season…blocking.
Burton, it’s refreshing to hear logical comments here without fanboy blinders on. Kudos to you, If I said that I’d have 40 negative reviews already.
#h2p!
That was because they had a good OL that established the run game and a QB that couldn’t run the offense. Possibly notice the difference when Patti played in the Sun Bowl?
When you have a RN like Izzy you;re supposed to ignore that and play sandlot football? Football hasn’t changed since the game was created. You control the line of scrimmage on both side of the ball, and you keep your defense off the field as much as possible because that keeps your opponents offense off the field and enables your defense to do more. Your OL controls the line of scrimmage and you run the ball well, that opens up the passing game. This is what happened when Pickett ran the offense (not surprisingly saw the same thing with him… Read more »
I didn’t know Izzy was an RN, my sister is a nurse. Noble profession.
Reese is a Lombardi Jr. showing up his football knowledge. Running the ball opens up the pass? Ever thought of being on TV with scary takes like that to spread the word?
Pitt should’ve offered him when he was coming out in high school.
you are correct Craig. pitt has given up on recruiting, unless you are 3* or lower down to walk on. They know they can’t compete so duzz waits like a jilted girlfriend to allow kids who dunked on him to come back. sap
He was a 2 star, no P5 teams were recruiting him, he was lucky to get a MAC offer, which is barely above D2.
They didn’t lose out on Jerry Rice, bringing this kid would be a waste of money/
Ask Mitchell Tinsley how it worked out coming to PSU for his draft status? I think he will be just fine. Enjoy Bub Means in 2023, hahahahaha
Never a doubt, welcome home Dante. Unrivaled!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Got him to PSU! Nothing else! So shut your bias mouth that no one one this site wants to hear, and leave our site!
***Is there anyway this dumbass can be blocked from this Pitt site????
We will all pay extra!***
Do you not understand that $ rules NCAA football now? How much did Davis or McMillon get?
I’m sorry your feelings are hurt by words, but that’s the weak world we live in these days. Lot’s of people want me here, look at all the interaction I create.
Now you want me blocked and cancelled? Wow, so soft.
Maybe I’ll leave just because you are crying right now……nope.
I just think most of your comments are very bias and not well thought out, just to get a response – much like an adolescent who craves attention. I can quote several. The latest being Best QB in the Big 10 next year. Maybe he will be (has physical skills to be), but he no proven history and that statement is just a dream by a fan, not by an intelligent person.
Kevin,
you really need to relax. It’s football talk and busting chops. It’s so easy to get people riled up here. Many of my comments are filled with sarcasm. I do welcome the back and forth.
On the other hand, I see many unintelligent posters here use “milk dud” (racist much?) and make Sandusky Jokes over and over. It’s like bitching about Trump two years after he’s gone. It’s adolescent put downs that are very humorous. Those typically come from people wo never played the game and know nothing about football. I love it!!!
h2p!
OCSP: All good, I guess lol! Us die hard Pitt fans are very over sensitive to PSU fans who think they can do no wrong. Kinda like they are about the Sandusky thing. I get it.
All good Kev…I get why pitt is sensitive.
OCSP = Douche Bag.
words hurt, not sure I can take it
Perfectly articulated.
You’re not really creating interaction though. You’re just provoking using language like “jv” and “shi*t.” If you go into it like that then these are the responses you’ll get. You act like you know everything, the world we live in with NIL, with political discourse, with “cancellation.” Well, figure it out then. You want conversation then don’t just barf on a message board.
maybe I’m just using the language to counter provoke the “milkdud”, “state Penn”, Ped State, etc. It’s all good, I don’t get stressed about it. College football is now millionaire boosters using schools and teams like their own fantasy team.
90%+ do not want you here. Total delusions of grandeur…
I struggle every day for the 10% who make up my fan base and beg me for honest, knowledgeable takes on college football. It’s tough when you try and educate folks and all you get is “ped state”, blah blah blah.
I’m also commenter of the year voted on by PSN, and they asked me to continue on the site since I bring so much engagement from pitt fans that hang on my every post. I try to stay humble, but it’s hard when you are this good.
Don’t let a drunk, dimwitted troll bother you. He’s a fanboy of a team that will never finish better than third in their conference, hardly something to care about.
Reese typing away at 1 am on fan boards is hilarious. PSU has won the BigTen 3x, but you already knew that right? Oh, and you care because you reply which pleases me. You and I will take this thread to 100 comments and you can be my presenter next year on my back to back poster of the year award. You’re welcome!
Penn Hills pipeline to PSU continues!
Were any of those receivers you mentioned Blitnekoff award winners? How many times has PSU won a division championship in the last 7 years? Or conference championship?Maybe PSU should recruit their headcoach from Penn Hills. Until then you’ll be a part of the Big 2 conference.
Bobby Engram was the first Biletnikoff winner who went on to have a great NFL career. He also might be there next WR coach although I don’t think he will want to come back if not calling plays.
PSU won the Big Ten in 94, 05, 08 16 (Big Ten champion and was screwed out of the playoffs). So many 11 win seasons I can’t list them.
Did you know shi*t hasn’t won a New Years Day bowl in 41 years. #JVprogram
Now that was a valid argument, for once! If you stop the stupid, bias, un educated remarks, we would take you much more seriously.
Thanks Kev, let’s have both sides take a non-bias view on their programs. I’d then take some posters here more seriously. You are one of the good ones, I’ll see you at the tailgates and buy you a beer
Yeah, like Aaron Donald. More State Penn fantasies.
what are you blabbering about now?
Maybe CJF will take Tiquan Underwood? Not sure if he’s good enough but maybe PSU will throw him a life line.
Many of the “experts” on this thread obviously don’t follow Pitt football recruiting. With the transfers and the high school receiver recruits we just signed, our receiver depth has dramatically improved. In addition, the quarterback room is much improved as well. Dante Cephas is not the second coming of anything. He had one decent season in the MAC.
People on here don’t know how to watch film, project talent or even understand that some of the ATH players we signed are burners and will play receiver. These guys we just signed from Florida, have major offers from SEC schools. Thank God the panther staff does know what they are doing. 20 wins in two seasons and ranked 2 consecutive seasons. People just get on here to argue and give thumbs down on topics they have little to no knowledge of.
ranked two consecutive seasons!!!! Give them all raises and extensions. Way to set the bar high.
I’m on the fence about downvoting your comment….hmmm, I must ponder your points. Burners from Florida, you are all set!
I’ve been trying to explain Pitt’s recruiting philosophy on here.don’t know who is paying attention. Before coming to Pitt, Duzz was the defensive coordinator for MSU, that team that is at the same level as State Penn in the Big 10. Anyway, the recruiting philosophy used there is the same one used at Pitt, which is basically this; Pitt recruits the southeast, FLA particularly, very heavily. Do they get the 4 and 5 star kids, Rarely, but realize this; kids from that are may be 3 star, but compared to the rest of the country they’re 4-5 star and they… Read more »
Resse spitting knowledge on the recruiting process!!!! I almost shed a tear at the end, “it makes a difference to me”. Nice touch
Cephas does not fit a pro style offense; he’s too small, and not fast enough to make up for his lack of speed. He’s not a P5 player because of one good season on the freaking MAC.
This kid will end up playing special teams, that’s not worth 2-3 million.
Oh Reesey, Cephas is following Tinsley. Dante will have 60 catches next year in the slot in front of 107k fans. Keep throwing out “pro style offense” to make yourself feel better.
Unrivaled
107k
Speca next to commit to PSU
46 comments!! Man PSN should put me on staff, I bring the engagement here
#h2p
#patsignal
I wouldn’t get too excited ol buddy. Virtually anyone with the ability to read and write could hurl insults on a message board in order to get responses…yet curiously, you’re literally the only person on here that chooses to do so. Honestly don’t understand the enjoyment in that…guess we’re just wired differently.
It’s called being a drunk ass masochist that has nothing better to do, Typical State Penn fan boy LOSER.
Reese such venom. I’ve told you before I don’t drink but if I had to guess I’d say you might imbibe from your late night vitriol on this message board. If my wife and mother saw you call me a loser it might make them sad, could you please lighten up for me? Thanks buddy!
wow, the sarcasm flew right over your head huh Dixon?
So we have a PS troll. What do we do with it? Respond, only makes him/her bolder. Ignore. It’s looking for attention, it will go away.
Here’s the thing though, he posts on other non-PSU related articles and isn’t always trolling. And his name “on campus stadium please” sort of indicates he is a Pitt fan on some level. What’s the deal?
The handle “on campus stadium please” is sarcasm directed at Pitt because they are renting an off-campus football stadium for their games (that one didn’t fly over my head). Actually, he couldn’t give a damn where they play.
You are getting better Dixon, we will keep working on your sarcasm meter. You will get it, walk first then run.
I do care where the panthers play, hence the name. No college athlete should have to use someone else’s facility, screams JV program.
exactly kmp…h2p forever!!!
Gotcha, sarcasm is hard to portray in written word. So much of it is in inflection and non verbal queues. You have have admit you’re being abnormally snarky in this particular thread.
It’s all in good fun, nice response kmp30. You can have a nice back and forth without stooping to “ped state” or “state penn”. Good on you!
I’m with you PB, getting really boring…same stale comments repeated over and over ad nauseam. I already ignore the majority of his posts, only been responding to ones I find mildly amusing.
You know it’s not boring Dixon…..the same comments actually come from my other pitt fans here. I’ve heard them for the last two years. First Slovis is the next great QB, now it’s IR Phil. You don’t ignore my posts, you can’t. Can’t wait to hear your response!
h2p!!
You know you love me pittband, and can’t ignore my posts let alone not respond. I’m a football expert so I try to give honest opinions, blind pitt fans here don’t like it. Just like you are in the band and never played football, but if you wrote about band stuff I would trust your opinion.
Look at all the engagement I bring here, PSN loves me and have contacted me to write a daily column. Remember, I am poster of the year.
Mr. Reese, let’s get your opinion on Malik McLain heading to PSU. Cephas was a low 2 star, what about a 4* transfer from FSU who went to IMG. 6’4″, 4.5 vertical threat.
What say you o wise one?