BYU Wide Receiver Cody Hagen Could Be Poised for Breakout Season in 2025
As the BYU Cougars gear up for their second season in the Big 12, wide receiver Cody Hagen has emerged as a potential breakout star in 2025. The former four-star recruit and state sprint champion from Utah has quietly developed behind the scenes, and now, with a reshuffled depth chart and more experience under his belt, Hagen could become one of the conference’s most electric playmakers.
Hagen arrived at BYU with high expectations in 2022, turning down offers from national powerhouses like USC, Stanford, and Alabama. With elite speed—he once ran a sub-10.5 in the 100 meters in high school—and crisp route-running, Hagen was considered one of the top athletes in the West. But injuries and a crowded receiver room limited his snaps during his first two seasons. In 2024, he began to show flashes of his potential, finishing with 18 receptions for 312 yards and two touchdowns while averaging over 17 yards per catch.
Now, entering 2025 as an upperclassman, Hagen finds himself in the perfect position to shine. With the departures of leading receivers Chase Roberts and Keanu Hill to the NFL and graduation, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick will likely lean on Hagen to take on a larger role. Coaches have repeatedly praised his offseason work ethic, improved strength, and understanding of the playbook.
“Cody’s ready,” said wide receivers coach Fesi Sitake this spring. “He’s put in the work and is running with confidence. He’s always had the speed, but now he’s winning with technique and physicality too.”
What makes Hagen’s breakout potential even more intriguing is BYU’s offensive direction. With quarterback Jake Retzlaff returning and another year of chemistry-building with Hagen, the passing game is expected to open up. Retzlaff has shown a willingness to push the ball downfield, and Hagen could be the ideal target for vertical shots and quick-hit screens to utilize his speed in space.
Additionally, BYU’s offensive line is expected to be stronger in 2025, giving the quarterback more time to allow plays to develop. That could mean more opportunities for Hagen to create separation and make big plays.
The Cougars’ 2025 schedule also offers a national spotlight. With key early-season matchups against Arizona, Oklahoma State, and a primetime game at TCU, Hagen will have multiple chances to showcase his skills against top-tier competition. A hot start could elevate him from a local breakout candidate to a nationally recognized receiver and NFL prospect.
If Hagen stays healthy and continues to build on the flashes he showed last season, he could be one of BYU’s most important offensive weapons. His combination of track-level speed, polished route running, and increasing physicality makes him a difficult cover for any defense.
As BYU looks to take a step forward in a competitive Big 12 landscape, Cody Hagen’s emergence could be one of the key storylines of the Cougars’ 2025 campaign.
