If your favorite team is looking for a big-play receiver in the 2020 NFL draft, Wisconsin’s Quintez Cephus should be high on their priority list.

A well-rounded prospect who put up big numbers last season, Cephus recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his big jump in production in 2019, how playing in the Big Ten challenged him, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.

JM: Your numbers took a big step forward in 2019 compared to the last time you were on the field in 2017. You finished the season with 59 catches and 901 yards. What do you credit the large jump in production to?

QC: I think my coaches put me in an excellent position to be successful. They put me in a position to make plays. On a more personal note, I worked really hard. I was excited about the opportunity to get back to playing football. The year that I sat out, I spent that time productively. I had a lot of time to work on myself. I was excited to start playing football again. I wanted to put my best foot forward.

JM: As impressive as those numbers are, I’m even more impressed with 15.2 yards per catch that you put up. What do you think it is about your game that lead to such a number?

QC: I would say my ability to win at the line of scrimmage and my ability to get over the top of the defense. Those two things were huge for me. Having Jonathan Taylor as my teammate was a big help. He forces the safeties to come downhill and play the run game. They had to respect the run and that lead to some opportunities down the field. Our play action game was very successful. The safeties have to play honest when you have somebody like Jonathan Taylor in the backfield.

JM: Do you have a favorite route to run?

QC: I love running the slant route. I can be physical with a slant. I can get a guy to run and I can move him off his landmark with a slant. I really enjoy that. Of course, I love the deep ball. I’ll always take a good go route. Those are probably my two favorite routes.

JM: Playing at Wisconsin afforded you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football had to offer. Who are some of the best defensive backs you’ve squared off with?

QC: Jeffrey Okudah definitely caught my eye when we played at Ohio State. Damon Arnette was great, as well. They have a great group in the secondary. Those two corners were some of the most athletic I’ve ever seen. That Big 10 Championship Game was a tough one. We spent a lot of time game-planning for those guys. They’re very athletic players.

JM: What are you most excited about as you go through this process?

QC: I’m just looking forward to going through this process. I realize that I’m very lucky and blessed to be in this position. It’s a great opportunity. Being at the NFL Scouting Combine is exciting. To think of where I’ve come from, it’s just exciting. Having the opportunity to get drafted is surreal. I’ve worked hard for this. Knowing that my ultimate dream is within reach, that’s exciting to me.

JM: What do you enjoy more, catching a deep ball for a 75-yard touchdown, or making multiple catches on a long drive that still results in a touchdown catch for you?

QC: I’ve had a couple of drives where I made a few short catches on a long drive that capped off with a touchdown catch. You appreciate the hard work that goes into that. Hitting that big play is a great feeling, as well. I think that you get more out of it when you made a few plays over the stretch of a long drive. It definitely feels more rewarding.

JM: Is there one or two NFL quarterbacks that you’d love to catch a pass from?

QC: Guys like Russell Wilson and Drew Brees come to mind. They’re two of the best quarterbacks in the league. That would be pretty surreal to me.

JM: What’s the biggest lesson any coach at Wisconsin ever taught you?

QC: Our wide receivers coach, Ted Gilmore, always talked to us about being competitive and doing our job the right way. He made sure that we came to practice and to our meetings with the right mindset. It’s all about being a professional. He makes sure that we take care of our bodies. He expects us to conduct ourselves like a professional in everything that we do. I have to thank him for that.

JM: What kind of impact is Quintez Cephus gonna make at the next level?

QC: Quintez Cephus is gonna be a big-play receiver at the next level. I’m gonna make a lot of plays for whichever team decides to take a chance on me. I’m just excited about this opportunity. I’m looking forward to making a bunch of plays in the NFL.