WVU WR Jaden Bray Named to Comeback Player of The Year Watchlist

West Virginia senior wide receiver Jaden Bray has collected just nine receptions over the course of his two seasons with the program due to various injuries. However, Bray is earning national respect as a player who could be in for a big season in 2026.

The senior wideout was named to the College Football Comeback Player of the Year Pre-Season Watch List. The team announced Bray being included on the list on their X account.

⭐️𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 @thejadenbray, WR pic.twitter.com/jquOdvzr4H
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 20, 2026

Bray was one of eight players from the Big 12 Conference to be named to the preseason watchlist. Arizona’s Malcolm Hartzong and Tre Smith, Colorado’s DeKalon Taylor, Texas Tech’s Jayden Cofield, Quinten Joyner, Will Hammons, and Utah’s Hunter Andrews are also representing the Big 12 on the watchlist.

Bray transferred to West Virginia in 2024 after spending three seasons with Big 12 Conference rival Oklahoma State. The receiver collected 30 receptions for 382 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his sophomore season with the Cowboys before entering the transfer portal. Bray is a receiver who works best downfield, stretching the defense. Head coach Rich Rodriguez has yet to officially name a starting quarterback for the 2026 season, but the offense should be able to count on Bray as a big-play threat every time he is on the field for his final collegiate season.

Jaden Bray will be wearing a technically retired number in 2026

The West Virginia football program is set to retire Pat White’s No. 5 jersey during its season opener against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, September 5th at Milan Puskar Stadium. Tens of thousands of Mountaineers fans will pile into Morgantown dressed in all white for the “White Out” as the program immortalizes one of the most impactful collegiate quarterbacks of this century. However, Bray will wear the number 5 throughout the course of his senior season in 2026.

As to why Bray was allowed to keep wearing the number five despite it being retired this season, look no further than White himself. Rodriguez told A.P. Steadham at Big 12 media day that White insisted his jersey retirement be delayed a year for Bray to wear the number.

“This is how Pat is. Once we told him we were going to retire his number, he said, ‘Let’s wait one year so Jaden can wear it for his senior year,’ and that’s the kind of guy Pat is," Rodriguez said.

The wideout has earned immense respect within the locker room and will officially be the last player to ever wear the number five in the old gold and blue. With a fully healthy season from Bray, he could be one of the top pass-catching threats in a much-improved West Virginia offense in 2026.

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