Penn State WR Dante Cephas - Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
The transfer portal is an ongoing conversation around the college football world. Penn State wide receiver, Dante Cephas is the next player set to enter the transfer portal. This will be Cephas’ second time entering the portal, but after not playing in the Peach Bowl, this is an expected move. Here is a look at Cephas’ time at Penn State, and why this may occur.
Dante Cephas’ Season
This was the first and only season that Cephas spent at Penn State. This comes after he spent four years at Kent State. The wide receiver position was a big question mark heading into the 2023 season. It also feels like it will remain the question mark in the 2024 season. In 2023, according to Sports Reference, Cephas played in 12 games where he had 22 receptions for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Cephas had a strong game against Maryland, but aside from that game, he never made it into the endzone.
Heading into this season, it was expected that wide receiver, KeAndre Lambert-Smith would be the team’s number one wide receiver, but aside from him, no one in that position stood out consistently. In the end, Cephas was actually the team’s number two wide receiver when it came to targets and receiving yards. The university utilizes tight ends well, and running backs, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen can also receive. This pushed Cephas down to fifth in receiving yards and receptions.
No Peach Bowl for Cephas?
The Peach Bowl was not pretty for Penn State. The game’s final score was 38-25, Ole Miss with the win. It took until the fourth quarter for any wide receiver to have a reception. While being able to utilize other positions in the passing game is important, it is still an issue Penn State faces. One notable absence in the game is that Cephas did not play. Head coach, James Franklin says there is an open competition every week, which led to Cephas’ absence. This is most likely what is leading the receiver to enter the portal for the second time.
Penn State left the Peach Bowl with more questions than answers. They will have a new offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator in 2024. Allar did not have a great game, but who knows what will happen under a new coordinator. Hopefully, through the portal, Cephas finds a school that is the right fit for him.
