Jaden Bray Explains Oklahoma State Departure, Reasons for Picking West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU wide receiver Jaden Bray opened about what led him to West Virginia in his first press conference with the media on Monday. With the new season weeks away, Bray is looking ahead with high hopes for 2024 as a Mountaineer.

First, Bray touched on why he decided to leave Oklahoma State, especially after growing up a Cowboys fan from Oklahoma. He instantly pointed to wanting more of an opportunity and looking to become a focus of an offense. And Bray feels he found that situation at WVU.

Bray brought up feeling at home right away with the West Virginia coaching staff and the entire wide receiver room. He also believes he will be used in the right way as why he picked WVU over his other offers as a transfer.

WVU WR Jaden Bray says he left Oklahoma St. for more of an opportunity and to be more focused on in an offense. He picked WVU due to his comfort with staff and receiver room.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 12, 2024

While he does want to win, Bray did admit that West Virginia coming off a successful 2023 season was only a small factor in his decision. Finding a program that will provide him an opportunity to show his true potential was the driving force in the Mountaineers winning his services.

WVU head coach Neal Brown was asked about his new offensive weapon just minutes before Bray took to the podium. “I’m really excited about Jaden Bray as a football player,” said Brown.

Brown added that Bray plays really hard and he expects him to be a big asset on specials teams well as on offense, something Bray is embracing.

In addition to retaining key contributors from 2023, Brown knew he also had to bring in new talent in order to get WVU to the next level. One of the major additions that Brown has high hopes for in 2024 is wide receiver Jaden Bray.

During his Big 12 Media Days press conference, Brown described his mentality in pursuing Bray as a transfer and what he feels he can bring to the table.

“Jaden, he scored a touchdown, as you know, from Stillwater. He scored a touchdown against uslast year. Once he went into the portal, we couldn’t beat him; so we felt like we needed to get him on our team,” Brown explained.

Brown even believes Bray can be even better in the WVU offense and surpass his past production as a Mountaineer.

Why Neal Brown Expects WR Jaden Bray to Be Even Better at WVU

“But Jaden is really talented, and I thought he was slowed by injuries last year. He had a couple really big games. He’s a tremendous human being, first of all. So he’s beena great addition to our locker room. The type of characterhe has, how he was raised. Those are all real positives. And he’s long. He can jump and he can run. So now, for us, is about getting that production from a week in, week out perspective, but I’m excited to coach him. He’s been a joy since he got there in January, and I think he’s sitting on really not just one but two quality high-production years.”

The addition of Bray will open up new possibilities for the WVU offense. When Brown made it known the Mountaineer were on the hunt for wide receiver help in the portal, there was no telling what options they would find.

West Virginia sent offers to receivers from all over the country from all different levels of football, spanning the power conferences and even Division II. And while many of them have talent and were coveted by other similar programs to WVU, landing a player like Bray is the best case scenario.

Bray brings experience and knowledge of the Big 12, having competed at Oklahoma State. But on top of his experience, Bray also brings production with him. He made 30 receptions for 382 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2023.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti details why WVU views another WR transfer as a significant acquisition as well.