Puka Nacua
Puka Nacua (born May 29, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the BYU Cougars. He previously played at Washington.
BYU Cougars – No. 12 | |
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Position | Wide receiver |
Class | Senior |
Personal information | |
Born: | Provo, Utah, U.S. | May 29, 2000
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
Career history | |
College |
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Bowl games | |
High school | Orem High School (Orem, Utah) |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Early life and high school
Nacua grew up in Provo, Utah and attended Orem High School in Orem, Utah.[1] Nacua finished his high school career with 260 catches, 5,226 receiving yards, and 58 receiving touchdowns, all of which are Utah state records.[2][3]
College career
Washington
Nacua began his college career at Washington. He played in the first eight games of his freshman season and caught seven passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a broken foot.[4] Nacua had nine receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown in three games during the team's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.[5] Following the end of the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[6]
Personal life
Nacua's older brother, Samson, also plays wide receiver he transferred from the University of Utah at the same time that Puka transferred from Washington.[9] Another older brother, Kai Nacua, played defensive back at BYU and in the National Football League (NFL).[10]
References
- "Orem's Puka Nacua is the youngest of three standout football players ... and he may be the best of the three". The Salt Lake Tribune. August 10, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "The wait is over. Four-star wide receiver Puka Nacua breaks silence and commits to Washington". The Seattle Times. February 10, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "BYU football: How Puka Nacua is polishing craft during the offseason". Deseret News. February 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "UW freshman wide receiver Puka Nacua will miss 4-5 weeks with a broken foot". The Seattle Times. November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "BYU football: What will Puka Nacua and Samson Nacua bring to Cougars?". Deseret News. March 12, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "'This is not how I wanted it to go': UW wide receiver Puka Nacua discusses decision to transfer to BYU". The Seattle Times. March 8, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "Puka, Samson Nacua announce they're transferring to BYU". Deseret News. March 8, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- Thamel, Pete (September 9, 2022). "BYU receivers Puka Nacua, Gunner Romney to miss Saturday's game vs. Baylor due to injuries, sources say". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "Why did Samson and Puka Nacua leave their respective P5 football programs to play for BYU? It was all about family". The Salt Lake Tribune. April 9, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- "Samson and Puka Nacua feeling at home with BYU football". Daily Herald. June 25, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2022.