2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joshua Cephus, WR, UTSA

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Joshua Cephus #2
School (Code)	6022, 188 lbs
DOB, Class Yr	03/05/2001, rSr
Height, Weight	6022, 188 lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.55
Arms, Hands	31”, 09 ¼”
Position/Depth	WR/1st
Honors/Captainship	2x All-Conference USA Honorable Mention, 2022 2nd team All-Conference USA, 2022 Biletnikoff Award watch list
Season Viewed (yr)	2022, 2023
Games Watched	TXNO (22’), TNUN (23’), TXSN 23’), FLSO (23’)
Scout Name / Date	Ian McNice, 11/20/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	11 GP, 11 GS, 76 REC, 966 yds, 12.7 Y/R, 9 TD, 1 ATT, -9 yds, -9.0 Y/A,
2022	13 GP, 12 GS, 87 REC, 985 yds, 11.3 Y/R, 6 TD, 3 ATT, 10 yds, 3.3 Y/A, 1 TD
2021	14 GP, 14 GS, 71 REC, 819 yds, 11.5 Y/R, 6 TD, 2 ATT, 11 yds, 5.5 Y/A,
2020	12 GP, 12 GS, 58 REC, 547 yds, 9.4 Y/R, 5 TD, 2 ATT, -13 yds, -6.5 Y/A
2019	12 GP, 5 GS, 8 REC, 153 yds, 19.1 Y/R, 1 TD,

Player Summary:

Redshirt Senior from Spring, Texas. He started at QB his junior season and some of his senior season while doing enough as a WR to earn him 1st team All-District honors at Dekaney HS. Plays a versatile role in UTSA’s offense aligning all over the field and being used in motion often. Good height, with below-average weight, marginal arm length, and adequate hand size. He displays fair athletic ability by playing with solid hip fluidity, adequate COD, lateral quickness, and below-average foot speed. Solid skills at the LOS, he shows above-average understanding in how he can attack a DB’s leverage with sharp jabs, forcing them to open their hips and even off-balance at times. When he win’s on vertical routes, it primarily comes vs a press jam where he can accelerate past a DB he manipulated early. He excels running double moves, and is solid on In/Out patterns due to his ability to sell himself vertically by using his shoulders and eyes. Solid sinking his hips at the top of his route and consistently peeling away from the DB, towards the ball when running a horizontal pattern. Solid processing zone coverage, he can identify soft spots when working routes that cross the field as well as exploit seams when down in the red zone. Plays with good soft hands, he has shown to have an effective catch radius, using solid body control to position to secure slightly missed throws around his frame. Adequate YAC ability, he is smooth in transition from receiver to runner and finishes the play off strong with good play strength. Adequate COD and lateral quickness lead to him being below average making players miss when in space. Solid asset in the run/quick game as a blocker, he understands how to seal off DB’s to create lanes for ball carriers and has shown to be willing to block any defender.

Scheme Fit:

X WR in RPO Heavy Scheme

Power Statement:

Cephus has a solid frame with quality ball skills, he is a consistent pass catcher with minimal drops, showcasing above-average concentration at the position. He has a fairly limited route tree due to marginal foot speed and adequate acceleration on his routes, he should be running quicker breaking routes with his skillset.