WVU WR Jaden Bray Details Using Past Injury Frustrations as Motivation

Plagued by injuries throughout his college career, Jaden Bray still believes he can make an impact as a Mountaineer.

In an upbeat mood after a spring practice, the redshirt senior spoke candidly about having his season cut short in each of his first two years at WVU and why he feels 2026 will be different.

“I was frustrated about what had happened, but once I realized it was broken, my mindset really went to what can I do to get back and ready for next season,” said Bray about enduring a season-ending injury at Ohio in 2025, going down in the second game of the season for the second year in a row.

“Of course, it is annoying to go through injuries like that, but keeping the main thing the main thing and working hard to get ready to come back for next season was really my main goal.”

For Bray, he uses every setback as more motivation in his goal to be even stronger and show he can be a productive player on a contending team again.

“I’m always thinking ahead. Of course, in the moment you feel bad for yourself, but if you stay there, then you’re going to stay in that sunken place,” Bray said. “Keeping a bright mindset and being positive to every outlook.”

Prior to transferring to West Virginia ahead of the 2024 season, Bray played a key role on an Oklahoma State team that made the Big 12 Championship Game. He caught 30 passes for 382 yards and scored a couple touchdowns while playing in 10 games. Bray also enjoyed success as a freshman in 2021, recording 13 receptions and 250 yards before his first college injury saw him only appear in three games during the 2022 season.

Due to injury, Bray has only been able to bring in nine receptions for 183 yards in two years in West Virginia.

“I’m trying to still chase that season I had when I was a freshman and junior. Those seasons, I was the happiest, because I was on the field playing,” Bray said. “When you’re on the field, it’s a different type of feeling that you have when you’re hearing the crowd and doing well. That’s when I’m the happiest.”

WVU wide receiver Jaden Bray during his first game as a Mountaineer in the 2024 season opener against Penn State. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

Now as a the veteran in a revamped WVU wide receiver room, Bray knows his team is relying on him to be available above all else. Rich Rodriguez has been open about planning to count on Brady to have a big year.

“Jaden Bray is a great young man, a really good football player. He’s had tough luck with injuries, but he’s the alpha in that room,” said Rodriguez. “He’s not a rah-rah guy and all that, but everybody in the program respects him. He’s poised to have a big, big year and I think he would’ve last year, too. He’s a lot of fun to coach, because it’s important to him. He works hard and you never have to worry about his effort and toughness.”

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