PROVO (KSL.com) — He was never seriously injured or hurt enough to worry about his long-term health, but Cody Hagen admitted his first year with the BYU football team was anything but easy — even at 20 years old.

The wide receiver who will step into a starting role as WR3 in the Cougars’ road trip Saturday at East Carolina (5:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN2) was simply transitioning between two very different roles during his freshman season, a transition that required more than merely removing a name tag.

Hagen spent the previous two years as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Bernardino, California. For those who know, that sacrifice sometimes hits high-level athletes more than anyone, noted head coach Kalani Sitake.

“You mind thinks you’re ready to g

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