BYU’s Puka Nacua Declares For NFL Draft
Dec 28, 2022, 10:08 AM
BYU WR Puka Nacua (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU star wide receiver Puka Nacua announced he is leaving the BYU Cougars to declare for the NFL Draft.
Nacua began his career with the Washington Huskies but transferred to BYU before the 2021 season.
“As I leave BYU and declare for the NFL Draft, I want to recognize and thank the people who have supported me and helped me get to this point in my career. I am excited to start this new journey and fulfill this dream of mine,” his statement posted to Instagram began.
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“I first want to thank my family; my mother, brothers and sister. I would not be in this position without their immense love and support. I know I have and will continue to make my dad proud, and I know he is always watching over me. I am grateful to have been able to see my brothers go through this stage, and I am ready for my time. I want to recognize my brothers that I shared the field with at BYU and UW, whom I have created great friendships with, as well as the coaches/staff that has helped support and push me to where I am now,” the statement read.
“I will see you all on Sundays this fall,” the statement finished.
Puka Nacua’s Path To NFL Draft
Puka put on some elite performances during the 2022 football season with the BYU Cougars. On the season he had 48 receptions for 625 yards and five touchdowns.
Nacua shared the field at BYU with his brother Samson Nacua, who transferred from the University of Utah. Puka and Samson are younger brothers to former BYU player and current San Francisco 49er Kai Nacua and former BYU signee Isaiah Nacua.
Puka Nacua Bio
A former four-star recruit out of Orem High School in the class of 2019. Nacua is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound receiver who was a four-star recruit coming out of Orem. Originally committed to USC, Nacua de-committed from the Trojans and ended up signing with Washington in an announcement made on KSL Sports.
During his freshman season with the Huskies in 2019, he played in eight games and started in three. During a shortened 2020 season, Nacua appeared in three games as a backup for the Huskies. This past season, Nacua was limited by a foot injury he suffered during fall camp.
In two years at Montlake, Puka totaled 16 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. That’s good for 19.9 yards per catch.
One of the top wide receiver talents the state of Utah has ever produced. Nacua was recruited by BYU when he was a freshman and appeared in the Cougars final five out of high school.
Nacua trained with former BYU wide receiver Ross Apo and he also got work with former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. A Polynesian Bowl selection, Nacua formed a relationship with current BYU quarterback Jacob Conover. Including an impressive toe-tap touchdown grab from Conover.
