Joshua Cephus Bio
Joshua Cephus is an American professional football wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 5, 2001, in Houston, Texas, Cephus played college football for the UTSA Roadrunners, where he developed into one of the most productive pass catchers in program history. After a standout career at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and continues to work toward a larger role within the organization.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Cephus grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended Dekaney High School and developed his skills as a wide receiver. His high school years were formative, providing the foundation that would eventually lead to a college commitment and a professional career in football.
Coming out of Dekaney, Cephus attracted attention from college programs and ultimately chose to continue his football journey at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He committed to play for the UTSA Roadrunners in 2019, beginning what would become a record-setting collegiate career.
Path to American Football
Cephus arrived at UTSA in 2019 and immediately began working his way into the Roadrunners’ offensive rotation. As a freshman, he appeared in eight games and recorded eight receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown, giving coaches an early glimpse of his potential as a reliable target.
By his sophomore season in 2020, Cephus had established himself as a key component of the UTSA offense, finishing the year with 58 receptions for 547 yards and five touchdowns. His steady growth set the stage for even bigger performances in the seasons that followed.
Joshua Cephus Career
Early Career at UTSA (2019–2021)
During the 2021 season, Cephus delivered one of his strongest early campaigns, tallying 71 receptions for 819 yards and six touchdowns. His consistent production earned him honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition, confirming his emergence as one of the conference’s top receivers.
Across his first three seasons at UTSA, Cephus built a reputation for dependable hands, sharp route running, and the ability to produce in critical situations, qualities that made him a focal point of the Roadrunners’ passing attack heading into his senior year.
Senior Career at UTSA (2022–2023)
Cephus elevated his game during the 2022 season, notching 87 receptions for 985 yards and six touchdowns. For his performance, he was named second-team All-Conference USA, reinforcing his status as one of the most productive wide receivers in the league.
His senior season in 2023 was the defining stretch of his college career. In week seven, Cephus recorded seven receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns while setting the Roadrunners’ all-time career receptions record in a win over UAB. Later that season, he broke UTSA’s all-time receiving yards record with a 163-yard performance against South Florida. In the 2023 Frisco Bowl, he caught seven passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a win over Marshall, was named offensive MVP, and set UTSA’s single-season receiving yards record.
Cephus closed the 2023 season with 89 receptions for 1,151 yards and ten touchdowns and was named first-team All-Conference USA, capping one of the most decorated careers in program history.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024–Present)
Following the 2023 season, 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, 2024, but remained focused on earning a spot in Jacksonville.
Cephus was waived on August 27, 2024, and quickly re-signed to the Jaguars’ practice squad. On January 6, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Jacksonville, securing his place with the organization. He was waived/injured on August 20, 2025, but continues his professional journey with the Jaguars’ franchise.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cephus is known for his reliable hands, consistent route running, and ability to produce in high-volume passing offenses. His record-setting career at UTSA showcased a receiver capable of handling a heavy target share, while his size and catch radius make him a dependable option in intermediate and red-zone situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining milestones of Cephus’s career are his UTSA all-time receptions record, his program record for career receiving yards, and his single-season receiving yards record set in the 2023 Frisco Bowl. His offensive MVP performance in that bowl game served as a fitting conclusion to his historic college career.
Joshua Cephus Career Wins
While individual win totals for professional games are not comprehensively documented in available sources, Joshua Cephus’s collegiate record highlights consistent production and several notable team victories, including wins over UAB, South Florida, and Marshall during his record-breaking 2023 campaign.
UTSA Highlights
Cephus finished his UTSA career as the program’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. His first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2023 followed a second-team All-Conference USA honor in 2022, marking consecutive seasons of postseason recognition.
Joshua Cephus Family
Personal Life
Joshua Cephus resides in the United States and continues to focus on his professional football career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Public details about his family life remain limited, and he is known primarily for his dedication to the sport and his record-setting collegiate career.
2025 Season Performance
Joshua Cephus entered the 2025 offseason with momentum after signing a reserve/future contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 6, 2025. His path back to the active roster faced a setback on August 20, 2025, when he was waived/injured, but his earlier production and special teams potential have kept him firmly in the conversation for a return.
Throughout the 2025 period, Cephus has continued to refine his craft within the Jaguars’ offensive system, drawing on his UTSA experience as a high-volume target. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a depth receiver provides value as the team shapes its final roster.
Looking ahead, Cephus’s focus remains on recovering and earning another opportunity with Jacksonville, where his combination of reliable hands and route-running precision gives him a clear pathway to a sustained NFL role.