Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
Almost Heaven a Second Home For Senior Jaden Bray
April 01, 2025 05:11 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Jaden Bray is figuring out what the rest of us already know about West Virginia.
It's Almost Heaven!
Bray, who transferred from Oklahoma State two years ago, talked Tuesday afternoon about the time he's spent in the Mountain State so far.
"I really like West Virginia, and I like the state," he said after practice. "Since I moved out here, I really got to know myself better, just being so far away from home. I've had to grow up a little bit, and I feel like I'm more locked in out here."
He credits the former coaching staff and his teammates for helping him feel welcome here.
"It was definitely up and down last season, but I still had fun even though I wasn't playing," he said. "It was good to be around all my friends that were here. All the receivers and the coaching staff that were here at the time did a great job of making sure that I was doing okay, mentally and physically."
It's certainly been a battle physically for the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Norman, Oklahoma, resident.
Bray's four-year college career at Oklahoma State and West Virginia has consisted of just 30 games, including five last year for the Mountaineers. His 2024 stat line showed only two catches for 88 yards - hardly the type of production that he was anticipating when he made the move from Stillwater to Morgantown last winter.
When Rich Rodriguez came back to West Virginia, Bray was open to giving the new coaching staff a chance.
"I didn't want to leave, and I wanted to at least give Rich Rod and his staff a chance before I made any big decisions, because going into the portal is really cutthroat out there once you get in there," he admitted. "I'm really enjoying it now being here and playing for Rich Rod and his staff."
If Bray has done his research, and he really digs deep into Rodriguez's history of developing playmakers and getting them the football, his willingness to give them a chance could pay off handsomely if he can remain healthy.
Of course, staying injury-free has been his biggest challenge.
In addition to last year, when he missed most of the season with a lower leg injury, Bray was out for all but three games during his sophomore year at Oklahoma State in 2022.
With the Cowboys two years ago, he played in 10 of 14 games and appeared in 12 of 14 during his freshman season, meaning he's been available for action in just a little more than half of the 53 possible games his teams have played.
"It was challenging because no one wants to be injured, and you want to be on the field, but it wasn't that difficult because I've been injured before," he explained. "It wasn't something that I hadn't already been through."
He's also got experience learning new offenses. The fast-tempo style Rodriguez prefers is similar to the speed Mike Gundy's offenses played with at Oklahoma State.
"Oklahoma State, we played tempo a lot and last year with Neal Brown's offense, it wasn't as much tempo, so I wouldn't say it's hard getting back in it," Bray explained. "It's hard getting back into the tempo shape, but as far as it being difficult, I actually enjoy playing in this offense a lot."
Bray says the coaching staff has done a great job of explaining things and making sure all the receivers are on the same page.
"I would say anything new can be tough, but with the coaching staff that we have, they do a great job of making sure that we're all ready to go before we step out on the field," the senior admitted. "I would say I've been learning this offense pretty well. I would say this offense is pretty much receiver friendly and they just do a great job of making sure we're prepared and ready to go."
Bray said some of the Jacksonville State transfers, particularly receiver Cam Vaughn, have also helped him get a handle on the offense.
"Cam has been great watching him play and make plays in this offense," Bray explained. "He's younger than me, but I'm learning from him every day because he knows the offense like the back of his hand. If you look at Jax State last year, he was a big contributor for them as a freshman, and his ceiling is through the roof of what he can do for this program."
Overall, Bray mentioned there is a good vibe in the Mountaineer locker room right now and the new and old players are blending well together.
"At first, of course, everyone is going to be quiet, but as we've been together, we're always hanging out with each other outside of football," he said. "Everybody is jelling really well. I really like the locker room even though we have a lot of new faces.
"There is a lot of competition out there, but you don't see a lot of stuff outside translating into the locker room," he added. "Once stuff happens out there, and you come back into the locker room it's dropped, and everybody is smiling and stuff like that."
That includes Jaden Bray, who has found a second home in Almost Heaven.
"I just like everything about West Virginia, and that's why I ended up staying," he concluded.
West Virginia has a morning practice scheduled for Thursday ahead of the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase on Saturday afternoon. On-field activities will get underway at 1 p.m.
It's Almost Heaven!
Bray, who transferred from Oklahoma State two years ago, talked Tuesday afternoon about the time he's spent in the Mountain State so far.
"I really like West Virginia, and I like the state," he said after practice. "Since I moved out here, I really got to know myself better, just being so far away from home. I've had to grow up a little bit, and I feel like I'm more locked in out here."
He credits the former coaching staff and his teammates for helping him feel welcome here.
"It was definitely up and down last season, but I still had fun even though I wasn't playing," he said. "It was good to be around all my friends that were here. All the receivers and the coaching staff that were here at the time did a great job of making sure that I was doing okay, mentally and physically."
It's certainly been a battle physically for the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Norman, Oklahoma, resident.
Bray's four-year college career at Oklahoma State and West Virginia has consisted of just 30 games, including five last year for the Mountaineers. His 2024 stat line showed only two catches for 88 yards - hardly the type of production that he was anticipating when he made the move from Stillwater to Morgantown last winter.
When Rich Rodriguez came back to West Virginia, Bray was open to giving the new coaching staff a chance.
"I didn't want to leave, and I wanted to at least give Rich Rod and his staff a chance before I made any big decisions, because going into the portal is really cutthroat out there once you get in there," he admitted. "I'm really enjoying it now being here and playing for Rich Rod and his staff."
If Bray has done his research, and he really digs deep into Rodriguez's history of developing playmakers and getting them the football, his willingness to give them a chance could pay off handsomely if he can remain healthy.
Of course, staying injury-free has been his biggest challenge.
In addition to last year, when he missed most of the season with a lower leg injury, Bray was out for all but three games during his sophomore year at Oklahoma State in 2022.
With the Cowboys two years ago, he played in 10 of 14 games and appeared in 12 of 14 during his freshman season, meaning he's been available for action in just a little more than half of the 53 possible games his teams have played.
"It was challenging because no one wants to be injured, and you want to be on the field, but it wasn't that difficult because I've been injured before," he explained. "It wasn't something that I hadn't already been through."
He's also got experience learning new offenses. The fast-tempo style Rodriguez prefers is similar to the speed Mike Gundy's offenses played with at Oklahoma State.
"Oklahoma State, we played tempo a lot and last year with Neal Brown's offense, it wasn't as much tempo, so I wouldn't say it's hard getting back in it," Bray explained. "It's hard getting back into the tempo shape, but as far as it being difficult, I actually enjoy playing in this offense a lot."
Bray says the coaching staff has done a great job of explaining things and making sure all the receivers are on the same page.
"I would say anything new can be tough, but with the coaching staff that we have, they do a great job of making sure that we're all ready to go before we step out on the field," the senior admitted. "I would say I've been learning this offense pretty well. I would say this offense is pretty much receiver friendly and they just do a great job of making sure we're prepared and ready to go."
Bray said some of the Jacksonville State transfers, particularly receiver Cam Vaughn, have also helped him get a handle on the offense.
"Cam has been great watching him play and make plays in this offense," Bray explained. "He's younger than me, but I'm learning from him every day because he knows the offense like the back of his hand. If you look at Jax State last year, he was a big contributor for them as a freshman, and his ceiling is through the roof of what he can do for this program."
Overall, Bray mentioned there is a good vibe in the Mountaineer locker room right now and the new and old players are blending well together.
"At first, of course, everyone is going to be quiet, but as we've been together, we're always hanging out with each other outside of football," he said. "Everybody is jelling really well. I really like the locker room even though we have a lot of new faces.
"There is a lot of competition out there, but you don't see a lot of stuff outside translating into the locker room," he added. "Once stuff happens out there, and you come back into the locker room it's dropped, and everybody is smiling and stuff like that."
That includes Jaden Bray, who has found a second home in Almost Heaven.
"I just like everything about West Virginia, and that's why I ended up staying," he concluded.
West Virginia has a morning practice scheduled for Thursday ahead of the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase on Saturday afternoon. On-field activities will get underway at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
WR
/ FootballGeimere Latimer | April 2
Thursday, April 02
Coach Deke Adams | April 2
Thursday, April 02
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 2
Thursday, April 02
Cam Cook | March 30
Monday, March 30
