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PROVO — One Cougar fan favorite is hanging up the cleats.
BYU tight end Masen Wake announced his retirement from football Thursday afternoon for medical reasons, putting an end to one of the more exciting and fan-friendly careers in recent Cougar football history.
"My time here at BYU has been life changing," Wake wrote on Instagram in revealing he was done with football. "I've created friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I am humbled and grateful for everything BYU has given and taught me over my career."
The 6-foot-1, 260-pound fifth-year senior from Cedar Hills broke out as a sophomore in 2021 when he totaled a career-best 14 receptions for 148 yards and 10.6 yards per catch while filling a mixed tight end/fullback/H-back role.
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 10, 2023
Popularizing the nickname "Air Wake" for his ability to leap over onrushing defenders at a large size, Wake wraps up his multifaceted career with 32 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns, and two more rushing scores in 46 games, including 17 starts.
As his stock — not to mention, likability — with the program rose, Wake always kept his late mother in his heart. Pam Wake died of cancer when her son was around 9 years old, and Wake would often write "M-O-M" on his bicep during games in her honor.
"She's been out of my life for a while, but she's definitely been with me," Wake told KSL.com during the 2020 season. "She's made me who I am today. The trials that I've been through have made me stronger and everything I do is for her. I know she's with me every single day and I like to live life that way. … Everything I do is to make her proud of me."
Wake plans to graduate in December with a degree in exercise and wellness from the university. He has also accepted an internship with Utah County-based Defense sports drinks, co-founder Jake Brandon told KSL.com.
. @MasenWake13 greatness in photos 📸 pic.twitter.com/piFt6aJC0S
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 3, 2023
Brandon has worked with Wake for several years through his name, image and likeness collective CougConnect, including helping Wake release a video game called "Masen Wake's Hurdle-Mania."
Wake reported to training camp last week, and even made a couple of highlight-reel catches during both media viewing portions of practice and in other moments that wound up on BYU's official social media platforms. But he wasn't available at practice Tuesday, sparking concerns about his future with the sport.
"We're still evaluating all of that with him," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said Wednesday afternoon. "For privacy reasons, we'll let him decide. But we're going to support him 100% in what he decides to do. … My job is to do what's best for the players and not what's best for me or my career. We've got to see what's best for them; he's going through that right now."
BYU opens the 2023 season — the Cougars' first in the Big 12 — Sept. 2 against FBS newcomer Sam Houston State (8:15 p.m. MDT, FS1).
