WVU Wants WR Jaden Bray to Impact Team Beyond Just on Offense

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Jaden Bray was in search of an expanded role offensively when he transferred to WVU, but West Virginia is hoping he will make just as much of an impact on special teams.

In addition to being excited about what Bray will offer the Mountaineer offense, WVU head coach Neal Brown made it clear the veteran receiver will also be a key piece on special teams. And while some veteran players may prefer to avoid risking themselves on special teams, Bray is embracing the situation.

Bray revealed Brown and the WVU staff were honest with him from the start and told him their top receiver is always expected to help on special teams. Brown even said he explained obtaining film from time on special teams will make him a more attractive prospect to NFL scouts. Brown can point to former Mountaineer Bryce Ford-Wheaton earning an NFL contract partly due to his work on special teams in college.

“I’m really excited about Jaden Bray as a football player,” said Brown.

WVU HC Neal Brown: “I’m really excited about Jaden Bray as a football player.” He said he will be big for special teams in addition to offense. He says Bray plays really hard.

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

Brown added that Bray plays really hard and he expects him to be a big asset on specials teams, 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.

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

“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 was 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, Jaden Bray opens up about his departure from Oklahoma State and why he picked West Virginia.