Puka Nacua

Puka Oliver Nacua was born May 10, 2001, in Provo, Utah, into a Polynesian-American family of eleven children. His father Lionel passed away from cancer when Puka was 13, a loss that profoundly shaped his approach to football and family; his mother Penina raised the Nacua children largely on her own, and multiple siblings have gone on to play Division I football, making the Nacua household one of the most prolific football-producing families in the country.

Nacua attended Orem High School in Utah and was a top-rated recruit with offers from major Power Five programs. He signed with Washington and spent two seasons in Seattle before transferring to BYU for his final two collegiate years. His time at BYU was uneven due to injuries, which contributed to his draft slide in 2023 despite clear talent and production.

The Los Angeles Rams selected Nacua in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, a selection that has since become one of the great value picks of recent memory. His rookie season was historic: 105 receptions for 1,486 yards, breaking both the single-season receptions record and receiving yards record for a rookie in NFL history. He earned Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration before finishing as runner-up.

Nacua has continued to produce at an elite level, pairing with Matthew Stafford (and now Cooper Kupp's successor targets) to form the centerpiece of the Rams' receiving corps. His physical play style, elite route craft for a player his age, and ability to produce in any formation have made him one of the NFL's most complete young receivers.

His résumé already includes rookie receiving and receptions records, Pro Bowl selection, and status as one of the most productive young wideouts in the league. His 2023-2024 campaigns have placed him in the top tier of NFL receivers, with production that has belied his fifth-round draft status.

Nacua is closely tied to his large family and has been open about his Mormon faith and Polynesian heritage. Multiple of his brothers have played college football at various levels, including his brother Samson at BYU, and the Nacua family has become one of the most visible Polynesian football families in the NFL. He has supported youth football initiatives in Utah and Southern California, and his endorsement portfolio has grown rapidly with his on-field success, including partnerships with Nike and various emerging brands.