Oddly enough Lions first-round pick cornerback Jeff Okudah has said the best wide receiver he went up against last season was Wisconsin’s Quintez Cephus.
Both are now members of the Detroit Lions.
Wide receiver was a position of need for the Lions and they addressed it by drafting Cephus in the fifth round on Saturday (166th overall).
“Jeff is an unbelievable talent, he was the best guy I lined up against all year,’’ Cephus said in a conference call on Saturday. “It’s amazing getting to see all the great athletes that the Lions tapped this year that they drafted and the guys they have on their roster.
“Jeff Okudah, I know he’ll get me better. I can’t wait to work with him and have fun, knowing he has that same respect for me that I have for him it’s going to be a great thing,’’ Cephus said.
The 6-1, 202-pound wide receiver ran a 4.73 40 at the NFL Combine.
As a senior he had 59 receptions for 901 yards (15.3 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns.
“I think I’m a receiver that makes plays, I’m a complete receiver I’m willing to block, to make catches, I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to help my team be successful, whatever that is I’ll do what I have to do,’’ Cephus said.
He remembers watching quarterback Matthew Stafford when he played at Georgia.
“I’m excited to get to work with him, learn from him, he has a lot of great experience with a lot of great guys,’’ Cephus said. “… I’m excited to get there and go to work with thim.’’
Cephus’ career at Wisconsin was temporarily derailed before the 2018 season when he was accused of sexual assault. He was acquitted of those charges in August 2019,
Cephus was accused of sexual assault prior to the 2018 season. He was acquitted of the charges in August 2019, but missed the 2018 season.
He didn’t want to talk about the issue in the conference call, saying he’s looking forward to playing with the Lions.
Detroit Lions draft picks (so far)
First round — CB Jeff Okudah (3rd overall), Ohio State
Second round — RB D’Andre Swift (35th overall) Georgia
Third round — LB Julian Okwara (67th overall) Notre Dame
Third round — G Jonah Jackson (85th overall) Ohio State
Fourth round — G Logan Stenberg (121st overall) Kentucky
Fifth round — WR Quintez Cephus (166th overall) Wisconsin
Lions Lowdown 