Rams WR Puka Nacua Wins Best Catch At Pro Bowl Games
Feb 4, 2024, 2:32 PM | Updated: Feb 5, 2024, 12:59 pm
Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams and NFC runs with the ball during the first quarter of the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars and current Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua won the Best Catch event at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.
Puka Nacua wins Pro Bowl Games event
The Pro Bowl Games kicked off with the Skills Showdown night on February 1.
On Sunday, February 4, the league announced Nacua as the winner during halftime of the Pro Bowl Games flag football contest.
Puka Nacua wins Best Catch!
📺: #ProBowlGames on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/N5bPZ3aJB1— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2024
During the Skills Showdown, Nacua was one of two players to compete in the Best Catch event. The former BYU standout went up against Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku.
Each offensive star was given three attempts to complete their top reception.
Both players participated in the event before the live broadcast of the Pro Bowl Games on Thursday evening. Nacua’s recorded catch was played first. The Orem High product broke out his wakeboard and was pulled by a boat in the water at a speed of 17 miles per hour.
Former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback Jimmy Clausen tossed the ball to Nacua, who completed the catch on his second attempt.
Former @BYUfootball star @AsapPuka broke out his wakeboard for the #BestCatch event at the #ProBowlGames. 🤙#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #RamsHouse #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/bAw2TJZLwa
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) February 2, 2024
Njoku went second.
The Browns tight end attempted to complete a catch after doing a backflip on a rope swim above a swimming pool.
However, after three attempts, Njoku was unable to collect the pigskin.
most unsurprising thing you've seen today: @David_Njoku80 has his shirt off at the #ProBowlGames 🤣
Chief represents the AFC in the Best Catch competition NOW on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/3tdSY9PZQF
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 2, 2024
Following the event, fans were able to vote online for which player should win the event.
On Sunday, Nacua was revealed as the winner.
David Njoku vs. Puka Nacua
Use #BestCatch + player name to vote for the #ProBowlGames BEST CATCH! pic.twitter.com/Do8a6EqYkw
— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2024
The rookie wideout received NFL All-Pro second team honors for his play in 2023.
Nacua finished his first season as a professional with an NFL rookie record 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He also scored six touchdowns.
.@AsapPuka FTW 🤙
The former @BYUfootball star scores his first career touchdown in OT to lift the @RamsNFL to victory over the @Colts. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #RamsHouse #LARvsIND #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/zHck0qwEnA
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 1, 2023
The Pro Bowl Games are televised on ESPN.
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About Puka Nacua
Before his college career, the Provo, Utah native played high school football at Orem High School. He finished his career with the Tigers as the owner of multiple state records.
Nacua helped the Tigers win back-to-back 4A state titles in 2017 and 2018.
After high school, the receiver attended the University of Washington and played a couple of seasons for the Huskies.
During his two years in Seattle, Nacua had 16 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
After the 2020 season, Nacua returned home to Provo and transferred to BYU. He immediately became a star for the Cougars.
Jaren Hall with a strike to Puka Nacua.
🎥: @CFBONFOX
pic.twitter.com/OiEusvRyli— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 6, 2022
In 2021, Nacua hauled in 43 receptions for 805 yards and six touchdowns. Despite battling injuries last season, Nacua recorded 48 catches for 625 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. He also ran for 209 yards and five touchdowns in his final season at BYU.
Nacua finished his BYU career with a total of 91 catches for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver. He added 39 carries for 357 yards and five touchdowns with his legs.
In April 2023, the Rams selected Nacua with the No. 177 overall pick during the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
