November 14, 2026 04:49 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University Center for Student Involvement – Student Programs and Traditions has named Mountaineer graduate student and wide receiver Jaden Bray a Mountaineer of Distinction as part of the Mountaineer Week award presentations during halftime of the WVU-Kansas Football game at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Â
Bray was selected from a group of 11 candidates across the campus, and it marks the first time a WVU football student-athlete has earned such an honor.
Â
Each year during Mountaineer Week, outstanding students of at least senior status are honored for their academic achievements and service to West Virginia University and its Mountaineer Values.
Â
When asked earlier what being named a Mountaineer of Distinction would mean to him Bray said, "Being named a Mountaineer of Distinction would mean that the way I represented WVU matters beyond what I accomplished on the football field.
Â
"This recognition would be an honor and a reminder to continue growing, serving others and representing the Mountaineer community with pride."
Â
A native of Moore, Oklahoma, Bray is pursuing his master's degree in executive sport management. He has played in 42 career games, including 24 starts, at WVU (2024-26) and Oklahoma State (2021-23). Bray currently has 69 catches over his career and has registered more than 1,000 yards receiving with four touchdowns.
Â
During his time at WVU, Bray has volunteered hours of community service at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital and with the WVU Youth Football Camps. He also has earned the Arthur Ashe Jr. Award and was nominated for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Award and the NFF All-Scholar Team.
Â
During his freshman and sophomore years at OSU, he served as a student-athlete advisory council representative and NCAA representative for African-American Student Athletes.
Â
Bray has served as a game captain several times and has been named Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team twice, to the Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll numerous times and the WVU Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll several times.
Â
Bray's parents, Alphonzo Bray and Tannica Binder are Army veterans, and he is one three children. He graduated cum laude from WVU with a bachelor's degree in sport leadership in May 2025.
Â
Bray was selected from a group of 11 candidates across the campus, and it marks the first time a WVU football student-athlete has earned such an honor.
Â
Each year during Mountaineer Week, outstanding students of at least senior status are honored for their academic achievements and service to West Virginia University and its Mountaineer Values.
Â
When asked earlier what being named a Mountaineer of Distinction would mean to him Bray said, "Being named a Mountaineer of Distinction would mean that the way I represented WVU matters beyond what I accomplished on the football field.
Â
"This recognition would be an honor and a reminder to continue growing, serving others and representing the Mountaineer community with pride."
Â
A native of Moore, Oklahoma, Bray is pursuing his master's degree in executive sport management. He has played in 42 career games, including 24 starts, at WVU (2024-26) and Oklahoma State (2021-23). Bray currently has 69 catches over his career and has registered more than 1,000 yards receiving with four touchdowns.
Â
During his time at WVU, Bray has volunteered hours of community service at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital and with the WVU Youth Football Camps. He also has earned the Arthur Ashe Jr. Award and was nominated for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Award and the NFF All-Scholar Team.
Â
During his freshman and sophomore years at OSU, he served as a student-athlete advisory council representative and NCAA representative for African-American Student Athletes.
Â
Bray has served as a game captain several times and has been named Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team twice, to the Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll numerous times and the WVU Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll several times.
Â
Bray's parents, Alphonzo Bray and Tannica Binder are Army veterans, and he is one three children. He graduated cum laude from WVU with a bachelor's degree in sport leadership in May 2025.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballSaturday, November 14
Saturday, November 14
Thursday, November 12
Wednesday, November 11
