Bray's Athletic Skills Combined with Good Coaching Promises A Big-Time Receiver
STILLWATER – I’ve told this story before. Last season after the win at West Virginia, I went back into the coach’s dressing room to ask offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn a question. Dunn and Gundy were the only two coaches left in the room and they were grinning and laughing. It turns out they were talking about how good the receiver corps at Oklahoma State would be in the future. With Jaden Bray having caught a key 28-yard pass late in the game to help sock the win away, the two Green twins emerging more and more each week, and John Paul Richardson complimenting Brennan Presley at the slot receiver the Cowboys had some talent, freshman talent, that was special. It is the kind of feeling that will make coaches smile and giggle some.
In fall camp, I’ve seen Bray come out of his comfort zone. I’ve seen him catch more balls over the middle. I’ve seen him leave his feet and stretch out for some passes as well. His talent is being honed and he is becoming a more seasoned receiver. His instincts have always been good and a lot of that came from basketball as he had way more hoops experience at Norman High School and in junior high. He really only had two seasons of high school football and only one with a good throwing quarterback in Cade Horton, current Chicago Cubs minor league pitcher.
I asked Bray how he goes about making decisions on laying out for the ball or knowing he has a jump ball?
“Really, it’s like tracking the ball,” Bray started with his answer. “When the ball gets (he puts his arms up as if he is going to catch an imaginary pass) … I don’t really know what to say. It is really just instinct. If I see I have to dive for it then my natural ball skills take over. I dive for it.”
Okay, this question for the former Norman Tigers hoops star was easier, diving catch or jump ball? I said I bet he preferred jump ball.
“Yes sir, I will, I will,” Bray answered quickly. “Playing basketball and going up for those rebounds and stuff like that gives me an advantage. I’m a taller receiver at 6-3. Just jumping up and going after those balls comes really natural to me.”
Bray made his first big impression on Oklahoma State fans in the spring game of 2021. He had enrolled early and made two touchdown catches in the spring game. Against Tulsa in the opener he caught four passes and one for a touchdown. The middle of the season was quiet, but he had meaningful receptions in the Bedlam win, the Big 12 Championship loss, and then the touchdown in the Notre Dame win. This past spring, summer, and fall camp Bray has worked on little things and making sure he is a confident and more consistent target for Spencer Sanders and the quarterbacks.
“I feel like I’ve come pretty far. Just looking back to the first game last year (Missouri State) to now. I look like two completely different players,” Bray explained. “Just listening to Coach Dunn and the coaching staff and having them tell me what I need to work on. When they tell you then you listen because they are great coaches and they’ve been here. Everyday is a learning process and even on the days where you have a good practice I can still learn. On the days that you have a bad practice that is when I really lock in and tell myself that this is what I need to do. Coach Dunn does a good job of telling us that. He is very honest, and he doesn’t sugar coat. He knows what it takes to play at the next level.”
Bray should have a chance for that and measuring his improvement will be fun on Thursday, Sept. 1 in the opener with Central Michigan.
Sunday the Cowboys had the special team practice and a walk thru in the morning. The newcomers, especially on the offensive line, receivers, and the defense as a whole got some extra work with the coaching staff. Then Mike Gundy sent everybody home, shut down the West End Zone and gave the players and staff a half-day. The team is back on Monday for full pads at 9 a.m. Tuesday is another full pads practice before a scheduled off day on Wednesday.