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Grand Forks Herald
Sam Hagen of Fordville, N.D., battling for a spot with the Houston Texans
- Story byGrand Forks Herald
- Sam Hagen of Fordville, N.D., battling for a spot with the Houston Texans
May 11—GRAND FORKS — Early last week, Sam Hagen was helping his dad plant wheat on the family farm near Fordville, N.D., which is 50 miles northwest of Grand Forks.
By the weekend, Hagen was trying to establish himself at rookie minicamp in the NFL.
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Hagen, who signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, spent Thursday to Saturday at the Texans' facility in Houston getting adjusted to the challenges of the NFL.
"I just wanted my foot in the door and prove to myself what I can do," said Hagen, who played three seasons at North Dakota before finishing his college career at South Dakota State. "I feel like I have that opportunity now, and it's time to work."
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Hagen, who's wearing No. 76 in camp, went through action at right tackle.
"Three days of the NFL, and it's very challenging mentally," said Hagen, who's set up in a Houston hotel overlooking the team's workout facility. "The first day you're meeting everyone in the building, then they're throwing a big install at you on Day 1."
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Hagen entered NFL Draft weekend told by his agent there was a 50-50 chance of being drafted or signing as an undrafted free agent. He said about eight teams viewed him as a sixth or seventh round draft grade.
At the close of the draft, Hagen learned from his agent he was signing with the Texans.
"I told him you guys have the reins to make the deals, so I didn't know of any of the teams contacting me," Hagen said.
Hagen's mom drove with him from North Dakota 21 hours to Houston, so Hagen could have his pickup there. His mom flew back Saturday.
With workouts taking place with temperatures in the mid-80s in Texas and humidity at 90 percent, Hagen said he's trying to adjust to a new home.
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"I just try to improve every day," Hagen said. "It's not going to be perfect. On Day 1, you can try to be perfect but it's not going to happen. On Day 2, are you making progress with the playbook? That's how I think I can earn another day. I'm focusing on myself ... your biggest competitor is you."
Hagen's background as a small-town farm kid in North Dakota is already making its rounds with his new teammates.
"It came out the other day that I graduated in a class of four out of high school," said Hagen, who played high school football at Park River. "No one can fathom that. A small school in North Dakota isn't that uncommon. When everyone found out, they were like 'whoa.' That's when it hit me ... I'm in Houston right now."
This week will feature Hagen participating in OTAs — official team activities — where the veterans begin joining the rookies for strength and conditioning and on-field workouts.
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Hagen is still just 22 years old. He came to UND at 17 in 2021 and started on the offensive line in UND's 2022 season opener at Nebraska. Hagen was UND's youngest offensive lineman two years in a row to start his career.
Hagen played in 12 games during both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, including starting at right guard the entire 2023 season. At SDSU in 2024, Hagen started 12 of 13 games at right tackle.
Despite battling injuries in 2025, Hagen was named captain for the Jackrabbits and earned all-Missouri Valley Football Conference honorable mention accolades.
His injury past was a concern in the draft process. He suffered an MCL injury in the 2025 season, then sprained his ankle at the Hula Bowl. He also pulled a hamstring ahead of a pro day, forcing him to skip the 40-yard dash.
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After his first three days of NFL work, though, Hagen said his body is feeling pretty good.
"A little sore but not as sore as I thought I'd be," he said. "I'll be put in the wringer this week, so I'm sure it'll pick up."
For now, he's spending his time in his team-issued I-pad learning the playbook.
"A lot of this stuff is do-it-yourself," he said. "You have to learn everything on your own before you come in to practice. In college, they install it. Now, it's learn on your own and come in with questions. If you don't know it, it's on you. I'm trying to understand a new system that is nothing like anything I've played with."
