The wide receiver room is proving to be the deepest position group on the roster throughout Fall camp.
Kalani Sitake and the BYU football team are cruising through fall camp. On the seventh practice of Fall camp, which included a lot of live work, two true freshman wide receivers at BYU, Cody Hagen and Tei Nacua, demonstrated flashes of their ability.
Cody Hagen
Cody Hagen is only a few months removed from his mission. Hagen, a former four-star recruit, returned from his mission in May and joined the program in time for fall camp. On Thursday, Hagen found a gap in the defense for a big gain that set up a touchdown. Bohanon ran into Hagen on the crossing route.
One of the top plays of the day on the best drive of the day: Gerry Bohanon finds Cody Hagen for a big gain. pic.twitter.com/U7LXA5Vs8l
— Casey Lundquist (@casey_lundquist) August 9, 2024
It is quite difficult for returned missionaries to return home and enter the rotation straight away. However, Cody Hagen may be able to pull it off. Hagen appears to be in excellent shape, and he is immediately demonstrating why he was a sought-after recruit in high school. Hagen is skilled at generating separation, and he possesses strong, dependable hands.
Tei Nacua
Tei Nacua, a true freshman, has made a few impressive receptions during fall camp. On Thursday, Tei received a pass from Gerry Bohanon in traffic and gained 20 yards or more.
Tei Nacua sighting! The true freshman has made a handful of nice plays during media availability, including this one from Gerry Bohanon.
Tei is the younger brother of Puka, Kai, and Samson.
Tei is wearing no. 45 like Samson did at BYU. pic.twitter.com/7DkqbDS5m3
— Casey Lundquist (@casey_lundquist) August 9, 2024
Tei is the younger brother of Kai, Samson, and Puka Nacua. Tei, on the other hand, came out of high school feeling a little more raw than his older brothers. If Tei can continue to grow, fill out his frame, and become comfortable with the playbook, he has the potential to be a very successful BYU player.
The best news for everyone involved is that Hagen and Nacua will not be hurried into action before they are ready.
When asked if the depth at wide receiver will allow Sitake to be patient with those young players, Sitake replied, “Yes, completely. I believe most of them understand that we have some good, quality depth. That does not imply that they are redshirting. They now grasp the dynamics of the four games. You can participate in any four games [while preserving your redshirt]. That’s definitely closer to the conclusion of the year, when they know the playbook better.”
BYU welcomes back every wide receiver who made more than one reception in 2023. Coach Sitake saw a significant difference in playbook understanding between newcomers and returning players.
“There’s a big gap between the guys that are experienced here and the guys that are new, which obviously happens,” Sitake said.
