Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia is heading into the football season with a chip on its shoulder, but that confidence wasn’t built overnight.
For Jaden Bray, it has been earned through months of work dating back to winter workouts.
“I feel really good going into this season,” Bray said. “I feel like what’s really giving me the confidence is the amount of work we’ve been putting in throughout the summer and going back to the winter, we’ve really been working here. All the coaching staff has been pushing the whole team just to be better. And just work harder than we do were last year.”
This offseason the Mountaineers were tested by the coaching staff and Bray believes that will help the team improve after a disappointing season last year.
“I would just say that the work that we have put in throughout this whole time, I have the most confidence for this West Virginia football team,” he said.
Bray’s confidence extends beyond the team’s work ethic. He believes this year’s roster can compete with some of the best teams he has been a part of.
The redshirt senior receiver has seen positive things from both quarterbacks, Scotty Fox Jr. and Michael Hawkins Jr., and both have taken on leadership roles. Fox has really grown since last season.
“Just seeing his growth and just his work ethic, he’s really hungry,” Bray said. “He has definitely has a chip on his shoulder. He wants to prove something. He’s always in the room getting film in.”
Hawkins has dived right in as a leader since arriving in Morgantown.
“Since Mike has came in, he’s just taken the leadership role,” Bray said. “And just has been pushing us every day, getting us together. He’s very vocal. If he doesn’t like something, he’s going to speak up and say what he needs to get it done.”
No matter who wins the starting quarterback job at the start of the season, the Norman, Oklahoma native believes WVU is in great hands with either one at the helm.
“I feel like it’s a great competition that we have with both of them,” Bray said. “And like I said, I’m confident with which either one or is on the field.”
As preseason camp continues, Bray believes the work the Mountaineers have put in since the winter has built the foundation for more success in the upcoming season.
Photo Credit: Kelsie LeRose, WVSN
