Apr 15, 2026 By Spencer Ripchik 5 min read

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — There wasn’t a lot of good that came out of West Virginia’s trip to Ohio to play the Bobcats in 2025 for the second game of the season. WVU was upset by the Group of Five school, but even worse, the Mountaineers lost two of their premier offensive weapons.

Running back Jahiem White went down and was carted off. Shortly after, wide receiver Jaden Bray suffered the same fate.

It was obviously bad for White to go down with a season-ending injury, but it felt just a tad bit worse for Bray because in 2024, Bray was in the same situation. He played a couple of games, then his season was over due to a lower leg injury. Earlier in his career, Bray missed time with an injury, too.

Bray played the first game in 2025, and his season was done. He can’t catch a break.

“Of course, I was frustrated with what had happened,” Bray said. “Once I realized it was broken, my mindset just really went to what can I do to get back and ready for next season. Of course, it is annoying going through injuries like that. Just keeping the main thing, the main thing. Just working hard, getting ready to come back on the field for next season, is just my main goal.”

Bray spent the majority of the season on the sideline. It was hard because as soon as he was injured, he wanted to get back on the field, and Bray just experienced this feeling last season.

He knew he had to stay engaged, though, and Rich Rodriguez talked about how some of the injured players were still around and helping.

As soon as Bray was hurt, he turned to doing what he could off the field, helping his teammates.

“It’s not leading by example, it’s just leading by if they need help with something on the field, ‘Hey, I saw what you did there. I would have done this a certain way,'” Bray said. “When you’re not on the field, you’re still out there, so I couldn’t just be sitting back, I wouldn’t say like hating, because of course you’re not hating on the sideline, but you still have to be engaged and stuff like that, just stay locked in. I feel like if you’re not engaged, you tend to start feeling bad for yourself.”

It’s not easy rehabbing from injuries. It’s a lonely space, and a lot of star athletes retire after numerous rehabs. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who was the first overall pick in 2012, retired early because he just couldn’t take any more rehabs.

Bray, luckily, has a strong support staff to keep him going and an urge to get back on the field.

“Just great support, family, friends, can’t just really compare yourself to other people’s positions,” Bray said. “Just got to stay focused on yourself. Just great family, friends and coaching staff, just pushing me along the way. I know what I can do when I’m on the field, when I am healthy, everyone knows what I am capable of doing. Just having the mindset and really loving football. Got to really love football to keep coming back and playing after injuries.”

Bray’s love for the sport was his main drive. But Bray wanted to chase his prior success when he wasn’t injured. In his first season at Oklahoma State, Bray played in 12 games, had 250 receiving yards, 13 catches and two touchdowns. In the Cowboys’ 2023 Big 12 Championship run, Bray played in 10 games and had 382 receiving yards on 30 receptions.

Bray wants to feel what it’s like to be on the field again.

“I’m still trying to chase that season I had when I was a freshman, like my junior year seasons,” Bray said. “Those seasons, I felt like I was the most happiest because I was on the field playing and stuff like that, so just to chase that. When you’re on the field, it’s a whole different feeling that you have, hearing the crowd. Just doing good on the field, that’s when I’m the most happiest and stuff like that.”

Bray is close to feeling that way, again, and was 100 percent healthy before the start of spring ball. WVU added a lot of receivers in the transfer portal, but Bray’s name, whether that was Rodriguez or Travis Trickett, has been floated around as an expected impact player for 2026.

Bray’s not changing any of his routine to prevent injuries. No lucky charms or not washing the socks. Bray’s just hoping his time is due for a big year with all the challenges he’s overcome.

“I feel like I’m due for some good fortune for sure,” Bray said. “Just got to keep going hard every day.”