WVU's Traylon Ray turns late college start into early playing time

While many observers were drawn to Gallagher's higher recruiting ranking, Ray's play at the position as a high schooler, in which he recorded 70 catches for 1,236 receiving yards and 11 scores, indicated that he probably had a better chance to contribute early in his career. Just how early, though, wasn't a lock by any means.

"I wouldn't say I expected it, but it was something I worked for," said Ray, who speaks with the confidence of an upperclassman. "I knew I was coming in later than everyone else. I had a little chip on my shoulder. Playing more than the average freshman, it's definitely a lot to take on. Coach Lal (Bilal Marshall) had been helping me a lot. I am getting used to it as the season has gone on. It's definitely more physical."

Ray, with the benefit of consistent reps at the position as a high school player, didn't take too long to make his mark. 

"In fall camp, there was a scrimmage we had where my confidence started to come out," said Ray, who is learning to use his longer frame to his advantage in competing for balls in the air. "That was when I knew I could play here."

Along the way, he and Gallagher have become tight, along with another freshman, running back Jahiem White.

"Rodney, he's one of my best friends," Ray noted. "There's always competition, but it's healthy competition. We're always seeing who can hit the best speed, who can make the most catches and who can have no MAs (missed assignments). It's great to have someone at my same position that I can compete with every day and get better."

That sort of mindset should serve WVU's passing game well in the future. Ray continues to build on his strengths, while Gallagher, with another month's worth of practice this year and in the 2024 offseason, is expected to hone more of his skills as a receiver. The two could be a very complementary pair in 2024 and beyond as they continue to push each other on the field.

Ray also believes he benefited from a varied high school career in which he led his conference in scoring in basketball and earned notice on the baseball field, hitting .359. 

"I just loved playing all of them. I ignored people that told me that I should just concentrate on one," said Ray, adding that his competitive nature was a factor in wanting to play as many sports as possible. "Coach (Neal) Brown loved that I played three sports, and he wanted me to finish in up my basketball and baseball seasons. That's one reason I love Coach Brown. I just looked at what I had the brightest future in (for college), and I had some family members that played football too, so that was what I wanted to do. It helped, all sports go into each other. Footwork in basketball goes into football, catching fly balls in baseball goes into hand eye coordination in catching the ball in football, so it all works together."

Gallagher, too, had a standout multi-sport career, excelling on the basketball court for Laurel Highlands while earning WPIAL Fab 5 honors in all four years of high school. That has led to some good-natured banter between the pair as to who would reign supreme on the hardwood.

"We haven't gone out and played yet but we've talked about it a lot," Ray said with a laugh. "After the season we are definitely going to go out and play."