From planting wheat on a North Dakota farm to battling for an NFL roster spot—Sam Hagen's journey is the stuff of sports dreams.
Last week, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive tackle was helping his dad on the family farm near Fordville, N.D., a small town about 50 miles northwest of Grand Forks. By the weekend, he was in Houston, trying to earn his place with the Texans as an undrafted free agent.
"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."
Hagen, wearing No. 76 at rookie minicamp, spent Thursday through Saturday at the Texans' facility getting adjusted to the NFL's challenges. He saw action at right tackle, where his size and strength immediately stood out.
"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."
Leading up to the NFL Draft, Hagen's agent told him there was a 50-50 chance of being drafted or signing as an undrafted free agent. About eight teams viewed him as a sixth- or seventh-round prospect. When the draft ended, the call came: Houston.
"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.
His mom drove 21 hours from North Dakota to Houston so Hagen could have his pickup truck. She flew back Saturday, leaving him to adjust to a new home—and a new climate. With temperatures in the mid-80s and humidity at 90 percent, the transition from the Great Plains to the Gulf Coast is real.
"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 small-town roots have already become a talking point with his new teammates. When they learned he graduated high school in a class of four from Park River, N.D., the reactions were priceless.
"It came out the other day that I graduated in a class of four out of high school," Hagen said. "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, Hagen will participate in OTAs, continuing the long grind from farm fields to football fields. For a kid from Fordville, every rep is a step closer to the NFL dream.