Last Updated on November 13, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Joshua Cephus is an American professional football wide receiver who plays for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on March 5, 2001, he grew up in the Houston, Texas, area and played college football for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.
Beyond football, Cephus comes from an athletic family with strong connections to college and professional sports. His parents are Rodney Cephus and Trenesa Cephus, and he has three brothers and one sister. One of his older brothers, Aaron Cephus, played college football for Rice University and the University of Hawai’i.
Although his parents and siblings are documented in official athletics biographies, relatively little reliable information is available about Joshua Cephus’s girlfriend, wife, or children.
Joshua Cephus’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Joshua Cephus has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner through the reliable sources reviewed.
Despite receiving attention for his college football achievements and professional career, Cephus has generally kept his romantic relationships outside the public spotlight.
His official UTSA and Jacksonville Jaguars biographies primarily discuss his family background, education, and football accomplishments rather than his dating life.
There is also no verified public announcement confirming that Joshua Cephus is married or identifying a wife.
Therefore, his current relationship status remains publicly unconfirmed. This does not necessarily mean he is single; it means reliable public information is insufficient to identify a current partner.
Joshua Cephus’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
There is no verified public information confirming that Joshua Cephus has children.
His official college and professional football biographies do not identify any sons or daughters. Similarly, available interviews discussing his family background have not established that he is a father.
Cephus has openly discussed his relationship with his parents and siblings, but information about any children of his own remains unavailable in reliable public reporting.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to claim that he has children or that he has none without further confirmation.
Joshua Cephus’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Joshua Cephus was born to Rodney Cephus and Trenesa Cephus, according to his official University of Texas at San Antonio football biography.
His mother was also identified as Trenesa Cullins in an April 2024 interview published by Andscape. The publication does not fully explain the different surname, so both names are presented according to their respective sources.
Joshua grew up in Houston, Texas, in a household where football, religion, and family relationships were important parts of everyday life.
Joshua Cephus’s Father: Rodney Cephus
Joshua Cephus’s father is Rodney Cephus, a former college football player and experienced high school football coach.
Rodney played defensive back at Texas Southern University, a historically Black university in Houston, Texas.
After his playing career, he became involved in coaching young football players. According to an April 2024 feature published by Andscape, Rodney had spent approximately 20 years coaching high school football.
His knowledge of the sport helped Joshua develop his skills from an early age.
Joshua started playing football when he was approximately four years old, following in the footsteps of his older brothers.
In an interview with Andscape, Joshua credited his father with teaching him the fundamentals of football and helping him understand how to become a better player.
Rodney encouraged his son to develop discipline, improve his technique, and pursue opportunities at the collegiate level.
His influence was particularly important during Joshua’s time at Dekaney High School, where the future CFL receiver played both quarterback and wide receiver.
Rodney also supported Joshua through difficult periods during his college career, offering encouragement and guidance as his son worked toward professional football.
Joshua Cephus’s Mother: Trenesa Cephus
Joshua Cephus’s mother is Trenesa Cephus, who was identified as Trenesa Cullins in an April 2024 Andscape feature.
She is named alongside Rodney Cephus in Joshua’s official UTSA biography and has played an important role in his personal development.
During his childhood, Joshua grew up in a family that regularly attended church, participated in religious activities, and emphasized the importance of faith.
According to Andscape, Joshua attended church approximately three times a week and participated in the church choir.
He also sang in a family gospel group with his sister and two older brothers, performing at different churches in the Houston area.
Trenesa continued supporting her son throughout his college football career.
During a challenging period in December 2022, she maintained regular contact with Joshua and helped him remain focused on his future.
In the April 2024 interview, Trenesa discussed how deeply her son’s experiences affected the family and emphasized the importance of encouraging him rather than abandoning him during difficult moments.
Her involvement reflects a close relationship between Joshua and his mother, particularly as he pursued his ambition of playing professional football.
Joshua Cephus’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Joshua Cephus has four siblings: three brothers and one sister.
His official UTSA football biography confirms the number of siblings, while an April 2024 Andscape feature establishes that two of his brothers are older and one is younger.
One of his older brothers, Aaron Cephus, also played college football. However, the names of his other two brothers and his sister have not been reliably established through the sources reviewed.
1. Aaron Cephus – Joshua Cephus’s Older Brother
Aaron Cephus is Joshua Cephus’s older brother and a former college football wide receiver.
Born on May 20, 1998, Aaron grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended Dekaney High School, where he competed in football and basketball.
During high school, Aaron earned all-district honors and became one of the area’s promising wide receiver prospects.
He subsequently joined Rice University, where he made an immediate impact on the football program.
During the 2017 season, Aaron recorded 622 receiving yards and five touchdowns, earning Conference USA All-Freshman recognition.
He also received the George R. Brown Offensive Award as Rice’s leading receiver.
Over two playing seasons at Rice, Aaron accumulated 1,187 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 22 games.
He later transferred to the University of Hawai’i, continuing his college football career with the Rainbow Warriors.
Aaron’s football development influenced Joshua, who followed his older brothers into the sport during childhood.
Both attended Dekaney High School and benefited from the football background of their father, Rodney Cephus.
2. Joshua Cephus’s Other Older Brother
Joshua has another older brother whose name has not been reliably identified in the available official player biographies.
According to a November 2022 feature published by UTSA Athletics, Joshua grew up playing football alongside his two older brothers in Houston.
Those childhood experiences contributed to his passion for the sport and influenced his decision to pursue competitive football.
The family’s interest in athletics helped establish football as a central part of Joshua’s upbringing.
Although this brother’s relationship to Joshua is confirmed, detailed information about his name, education, occupation, or athletic background remains unavailable.
3. Joshua Cephus’s Younger Brother
Joshua Cephus also has a younger brother, according to the April 2024 Andscape profile.
The publication specifically identifies Joshua as having two older brothers, one older sister, and one younger brother.
However, the report does not provide the younger brother’s name or additional personal information.
His age, educational background, and possible participation in football have not been reliably documented.
4. Joshua Cephus’s Older Sister
Joshua Cephus has one older sister whose name has not been publicly confirmed through the official sources reviewed.
She was part of the family’s gospel singing group during Joshua’s childhood.
According to Andscape, Joshua, his sister, and his two older brothers performed gospel music together at churches in the Houston area.
These family activities reflected the importance of religion and music in the Cephus household.
Although her involvement in the family gospel group is documented, reliable public information about her profession, education, and personal life remains limited.
Joshua Cephus’s Uncle: Marvin Cephus
Joshua Cephus also comes from an extended family with professional football connections.
His uncle, Marvin Cephus, played college football as a wide receiver at Tulane University.
According to Joshua’s official UTSA biography, Marvin also spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.
His involvement in professional football, combined with Rodney Cephus’s college football and coaching experience, helped establish a strong athletic tradition within the family.
Both Joshua and Aaron followed that tradition by becoming successful college wide receivers.
How Joshua Cephus’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Joshua Cephus grew up in Houston, Texas, where he developed an interest in football at approximately four years old.
His father, Rodney, taught him the fundamentals of the game, while his older brothers provided opportunities to learn through competition.
Joshua attended Dekaney High School in Harris County, Texas, where he played quarterback and wide receiver.
During his high school career, he also participated in baseball and track and field, demonstrating considerable athletic versatility.
As a junior, he passed for 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns while also contributing as a runner.
He later established himself as a wide receiver and earned first-team all-district recognition during his senior season.
After graduating from high school, Joshua joined the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2019.
He chose UTSA partly because of its proximity to his family in Houston and the supportive environment created by the coaching staff.
During a November 2022 interview with UTSA Athletics, Joshua explained that the university’s family-oriented atmosphere reminded him of playing football with his brothers while growing up.
That connection helped him feel comfortable in San Antonio and contributed to his development as a student-athlete.
Joshua Cephus’s College Football Achievements
Joshua Cephus became one of the most productive wide receivers in UTSA football history.
During five seasons with the Roadrunners from 2019 through 2023, he recorded:
- 313 career receptions
- 3,639 career receiving yards
- 56 career starts
- 1,151 receiving yards during the 2023 season
- 10 receiving touchdowns in 2023
His 2023 performance earned him First Team All-American Athletic Conference recognition.
He also played an important role in UTSA’s victory over Marshall in the 2023 Frisco Bowl, where he recorded seven receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Cephus received the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player award for his performance.
His college accomplishments helped him attract interest from NFL teams ahead of the 2024 draft.
Joshua Cephus’s Professional Career With the Jacksonville Jaguars and Edmonton Elks
Joshua Cephus signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in April 2024.
He spent much of his rookie season on Jacksonville’s practice squad before making his NFL regular-season debut against the Tennessee Titans on December 8, 2024.
The Jaguars subsequently signed him to a reserve/future contract in January 2025.
He continued competing for a roster position during the 2025 preseason but was waived with an injury designation in August.
On May 8, 2026, the Edmonton Elks officially announced his signing ahead of the CFL training camp.
He joined Edmonton as an American wide receiver and wore jersey number 18.
During the 2026 CFL regular season, Cephus appeared in all 18 games and recorded 49 receptions for 675 yards and three touchdowns, according to the CFL’s official statistics.
His move to Canadian football provided another opportunity to develop professionally while continuing the football tradition established by his father, brothers, and uncle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua Cephus’s Family
Who is Joshua Cephus’s girlfriend?
Joshua Cephus has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains unverified.
Is Joshua Cephus married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Joshua Cephus is married or has a wife.
Does Joshua Cephus have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed through reliable sources. His official football biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Who is Joshua Cephus’s father?
His father is Rodney Cephus, a former Texas Southern University defensive back who has worked as a high school football coach.
Who is Joshua Cephus’s mother?
His mother is Trenesa Cephus, who is also identified as Trenesa Cullins in an April 2024 Andscape interview.
How many siblings does Joshua Cephus have?
Joshua Cephus has four siblings: three brothers and one sister, according to his official UTSA athletics biography.
Who is Joshua Cephus’s brother Aaron?
Aaron Cephus is Joshua’s older brother and a former college football wide receiver who played for Rice University and the University of Hawai’i.
Does Joshua Cephus have a sister?
Yes. Joshua has one older sister who participated in a family gospel singing group during their childhood. Her name has not been publicly verified.
Who is Joshua Cephus’s uncle?
His uncle is Marvin Cephus, who played college football at Tulane University and spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.
Where did Joshua Cephus grow up?
Joshua Cephus grew up in the Houston, Texas, area and attended Dekaney High School.
Which CFL team does Joshua Cephus play for?
Joshua Cephus plays wide receiver for the Edmonton Elks. He joined the team in May 2026 after previously spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
