Two WVU Players Recognized as Comeback Player of the Year Candidates

If the Mountaineers have a solid 2025 season, it will be partly due to two returning WVU players bouncing back from injuries. Jaden Bray and Eddie Vesterinen were even both recognized nationally as two players to watch as far as comeback stories.

Bray and Vesterinen have officially been placed on the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List, giving West Virginia one player on offense and one on defense.

Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List selections, 𝐉𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐲 & 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧

⭐️ @thejadenbray @vesEdward pic.twitter.com/7rKoYYEBQa

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 20, 2025

Jaden Bray

Now motivated to end his career on a high note, Bray is doing exactly what he needs to do to make that happen – impress his new head coach.

“I think he’s going to be poised for a really good year,” offered Rodriguez about Bray following one of the final fall camp practices. Rodriguez even added that he’s been “really impressed” with Bray whenever he tests his receivers.

Rich Rodriguez Makes Bold Prediction About Veteran WR

Bray, who transferred to WVU ahead of the 2024 season, was in this same spot one year ago – a player viewed as a big piece for the offense. But unfortunately for the Oklahoma native, his first season as a Mountaineer was cut short – he caught just two passes for 88 yards.

West Virginia will certainly need Bray to be productive on the field, but his presence alone could open up space for playmakers like projected WR1 Cam Vaughn. That’s a role he’s already shown he can excel in, doing so for an Oklahoma State team that reached the Big 12 Championship Game in 2023.

Bray made 30 receptions for 382 yards and scored two touchdowns in 10 games for the Cowboys two years ago.

Eddie Vesterinen

Even coming from Finland, where he didn’t pick up American Football until his time in high school — and had to play against grown men, many with experience in the college game, in order to find competition, Edward Vesterinen didn’t take much time to fit in with WVU.

The 6-foot-3, 282 pound defensive tackle played eight games during his true freshman season, and never would’ve taken a redshirt year were it not for a season ending injury suffered two games into 2024. An All-Big 12 honorable mention during the 2023 season, Vesterinen will anchor a new-look defensive line with experience and consistency.

Vesterinen played just two games, suffering a season-ending lower leg injury. Starting at defensive tackle in 2023, Vesterinen picked up 28 tackles (10 solo) and three sacks.

Find more coverage of the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.