Joshua Cephus Bio
Joshua Cephus is an American professional football wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTSA Roadrunners. Cephus excelled at Dekaney High School before committing to UTSA in 2019, where he had a stellar collegiate career, setting multiple records and earning several accolades. Following his time at UTSA, he signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Cephus was born on March 5, 2001, in Houston, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in the same city that shaped his early athletic identity, and he attended Dekaney High School in Houston. His development as a wide receiver during his high school years drew the attention of college programs looking for skilled pass catchers.
At Dekaney, Cephus built the foundation that would later define his receiving game, working on his routes, hands, and football IQ. His performance in high school positioned him as a prospect ready for the next level, and he ultimately chose to continue his career with the UTSA Roadrunners.
Path to American Football
Joshua Cephus committed to UTSA in 2019, beginning his collegiate career as a member of the Roadrunners program. He transitioned from high school football into a college system that emphasized the passing game, and he steadily increased his role within the offense. His growth through the early seasons helped him establish himself as a reliable target for the Roadrunners quarterbacks.
By his upperclassman years, Cephus had become a centerpiece of the UTSA receiving corps, contributing consistent production against conference opponents. His progression from a developmental freshman to a record-setting senior marked him as one of the most productive wide receivers in program history.
Joshua Cephus Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Joshua Cephus began his college career during the 2019 season, recording eight receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in a limited role. The 2020 season brought a significant jump in responsibility, as he finished the year with 58 receptions for 547 yards and five touchdowns. His production continued to climb during the 2021 season, when he tallied 71 receptions for 819 yards and six touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition for his performance.
Those three seasons allowed Cephus to develop the consistency and route-running precision that would later turn him into one of the most productive receivers in the American Athletic Conference. Each year showed measurable improvement, and his chemistry with the quarterbacks and coaching staff grew alongside his statistical output.
UTSA Breakthrough (2022–2023)
During the 2022 season, Joshua Cephus notched 87 receptions for 985 yards and six touchdowns, earning Second-team All-Conference USA honors. His ability to produce after the catch and stretch the field made him a central figure in the UTSA offense, and he continued to refine his game heading into his senior year.
The 2023 season represented the peak of his collegiate career. In week seven, Cephus recorded seven receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns, setting the Roadrunners career record for receptions in a win over UAB. In week thirteen, he hauled in 163 receiving yards and a touchdown, setting the UTSA all-time receiving yards record in a win over South Florida. In the 2023 Frisco Bowl, he caught seven passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a win over Marshall, setting the UTSA single-season receiving yards record and earning offensive MVP honors. He finished the year with 89 receptions for 1,151 yards and ten touchdowns, and was named First-team All-AAC.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024–Present)
Following the 2024 NFL Draft, Joshua Cephus signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2024. He was also selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the 10th round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17. After being waived on August 27, he was re-signed to the practice squad, where he continued to develop within the Jaguars organization.
On January 6, 2025, Cephus signed a reserve/future contract with Jacksonville, securing his place on the offseason roster. He was later waived/injured by the Jaguars on August 20. Listed at 6 ft 2 in and 193 lb, Cephus has appeared in one NFL game and continues his professional career in Jacksonville.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joshua Cephus has built his game on reliable hands, precise route running, and the ability to produce after the catch. He has shown consistent performance in the short and intermediate areas of the field, and his frame allows him to compete for contested catches. His record-setting production at UTSA highlighted a receiver capable of handling a high volume of targets while maintaining efficiency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joshua Cephus set three major UTSA records during the 2023 season: the career receptions record, the all-time receiving yards record, and the single-season receiving yards record. His offensive MVP performance in the 2023 Frisco Bowl against Marshall served as a signature moment in his college career, capping one of the most productive seasons in program history.
Joshua Cephus Career Wins
Joshua Cephus has built a résumé defined by record-setting production rather than championship hardware at the professional level. His collegiate career is highlighted by multiple All-Conference selections and three program records at UTSA.
UTSA Highlights
During the 2023 season, Joshua Cephus earned First-team All-AAC honors after finishing with 89 receptions for 1,151 yards and ten touchdowns. The previous season, he was named Second-team All-Conference USA. He also earned honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition following the 2021 season.
Other Wins and Performances
Joshua Cephus helped the UTSA Roadrunners secure a victory in the 2023 Frisco Bowl against Marshall, contributing seven receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown in that game. His performance in the bowl game reinforced his standing as one of the top wide receivers in program history.
Joshua Cephus Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Cephus grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended Dekaney High School in the same city. Detailed information about his parents and broader family background has not been publicly confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Public records about Joshua Cephus’s personal relationships, spouse, or children have not been confirmed in available sources. On December 9, 2022, Cephus was arrested for a DWI after having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher, twice the legal limit. After pleading no contest, he was sentenced to 15 months of probation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a critical chapter for Joshua Cephus, who signed a reserve/future contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 6, 2025. His path back to the active roster required him to compete during training camp and the preseason, with the Jaguars looking to evaluate his development after a year in the program.
His standing with the team shifted on August 20, when he was waived/injured by Jacksonville. As he works through recovery and his next professional opportunity, Cephus continues to be recognized for the production he showed at UTSA and the potential he brings as a 6 ft 2 in, 193 lb wide receiver.
Looking ahead, Cephus remains a prospect with a clear statistical foundation from his college career. His three UTSA records and two All-Conference selections provide a strong base as he pursues the next stage of his professional journey.
