BLOCKBUSTER: Cortez Braham Stuns Mountaineer Nation with Late Transfer Portal Exit — WVU Faithful Reeling

In a move that sent shockwaves across Morgantown and beyond, West Virginia wide receiver Cortez Braham has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, dealing a major blow to the Mountaineers’ receiving corps just as the team was building momentum ahead of fall camp. The timing couldn’t be worse—and WVU fans are both stunned and outraged as speculation swirls over what led to this dramatic departure.

Braham’s exit, announced late Sunday night, arrives at a moment when the Mountaineers were leaning on experience and depth in the wideout room, with hopes of refining a more explosive passing attack this upcoming season. His decision to transfer this late in the offseason has blindsided both the coaching staff and teammates, sources say.

Cortez Braham was expected to play a pivotal role in WVU’s offense this fall. After transferring in from the junior college ranks, he steadily grew into a reliable target on the outside. Though his numbers weren’t jaw-dropping last season—just 14 catches for 132 yards—coaches consistently praised his work ethic, route running, and blocking on the perimeter.

More importantly, Braham was slated to take on a leadership role among the Mountaineers’ relatively young and untested receiving group. With key departures already weakening the unit and no clear WR1 emerging, Braham’s experience was viewed as a stabilizing force in the locker room and on the field. His exit leaves WVU scrambling for answers.

The reaction from West Virginia fans has been immediate and emotional. Social media lit up with confusion, anger, and worry as word spread. Many expressed frustration at the state of college football’s transfer culture, calling for more oversight and transparency. Others turned their ire toward the program, questioning whether internal issues may be pushing players away.

While head coach Neal Brown has not issued an official statement as of Monday morning, sources close to the program indicated that the coaching staff was caught off guard. “This wasn’t something they saw coming,” one insider told local press. “There’s disappointment. There’s concern. But the team’s going to have to rally fast.”

Braham’s sudden exit is just the latest in a string of unexpected departures this offseason for West Virginia. Although the Mountaineers brought in several key transfers to bolster the roster, they’ve also lost important contributors on both sides of the ball. While that’s not unusual in today’s college football landscape, the timing of Braham’s move—just days before the start of preseason training—makes it particularly painful.

Some analysts have begun to question whether West Virginia is facing deeper issues within its program, particularly when it comes to player retention and leadership. For a team already trying to climb out of mediocrity in a challenging Big 12 environment, this latest loss could disrupt the fragile chemistry needed to compete at a high level.

With Braham gone, West Virginia will likely look to rising sophomores and incoming transfers to step up. Names like Traylon Ray and Preston Fox will now be called upon to shoulder more of the receiving load, while quarterback Garrett Greene must quickly build rapport with whoever emerges from a reshuffled depth chart.

It’s also possible that WVU explores adding another receiver from the portal, though pickings are slim this late in the offseason. The window is tight, and any new addition would have to get up to speed rapidly to contribute by Week 1.

As for Cortez Braham, his next destination remains unclear, but there will be no shortage of suitors. He’s a seasoned wideout with Big 12 experience, strong physical traits, and two years of eligibility remaining. For teams looking to bolster their receiver depth ahead of the 2025 season, he represents a late but valuable pickup.

Still, his decision to leave at such a critical juncture may raise questions among coaches about commitment and timing. For now, Braham has chosen to bet on himself—and Mountaineer fans are left to pick up the pieces.