WVU WR Cortez Braham is Ready to Step Up, Takes Being Doubted Personally

It’s possible people who don’t follow the West Virginia football program don’t know who Cortez Braham is, but he’s ready to change that in 2023.

Braham, WVU’s senior wide receiver who is in his second year as a Mountaineer, discussed being fueled by doubters and why he’s now ready to really step up this coming season while speaking with the media on Thursday.

“I take it personal, I take it real personal,” said Braham. “I was getting limited reps (last season) and I was still making plays. I’m taking this season real personal because I feel like I have a lot to prove out there.”

These might sound like big words for a player who only has 14 career receptions for 147 yards at the Division I level with most of that production coming against an FCS opponent, but opportunities to contribute more will surely come due to circumstance, if nothing else. This is because he’s no loner behind Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Kaden Prather, Sam James and Reese Smith in terms of WVU’s wide receiver pecking order.

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In fact, the Mountaineers top four receivers from 2022 all either graduated or transferred after last season, thus advancing Braham up the depth chart. But to Braham’s credit, it also sounds as if he is earning more opportunities too. WVU head coach Neal Brown actually pinpointed Braham as the wide receiver who stood out for him in a recent scrimmage.

West Virginia did go out and get Devin Carter, a receiver with years of Power Five experience, to be the new number one and leader of the unit. However, most are still doubting WVU’s overall receiver room can offer nearly the depth it once did, making it a weakness for the offense. Braham doesn’t buy into that thinking, taking those opinions personally too.

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Braham Takes Doubts About the WVU Receivers Personally

“We use that as motivation because a lot of people think we can’t do it because of the receiving corps we had last year, ” Braham said. “(Prather), Sam and them are big shoes to fill. But I feel like we have the pieces and everybody can play their role,” he continued.

Time will tell what Braham will do with more targets and how he will be used in an offense that is planning to be even more focused on running to success with a dual-threat quarterback and loaded roster of running backs, but it appears as if he at least has the right attitude about the situation.

Braham also fully realizes what 2023 could mean for his career. This was evident by his “it means the world to me” response when asked about what getting to this place after being at a junior college just a couple years ago means to him.

“From last year not really getting to go out there and help the team, to this year, I really want to be one of the big factors for us to win.”

Watch Braham’s full press conference below.