BYU WR Puka Nacua Selected by the LA Rams in the Fifth Round
In the fifth round of the NFL Draft, the LA Rams selected former BYU star wide receiver Puka Nacua with the 177th overall pick. Through two seasons at BYU, Nacua has racked up over 1,700 yards of total offense and 18 total touchdowns. Nacua becomes the highest-drafted wide receiver out of BYU since Austin Collie was picked in the fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts.
A former four-star recruit, Nacua signed with Washington out of high school. He transferred to BYU ahead of the 2021 season.
Credit: BYU Photo
When healthy, Nacua was one of the most electric wide receivers in BYU history. Nacua possesses a rare ability to catch 50/50 balls, he is extremely dangerous after the catch, and he displayed a field awareness to keep his feet inbounds while making acrobatic catches. Nacua will be remembered for many great plays in a BYU uniform, but perhaps none more important than his game-winning catch against Boise State.
With 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter, BYU faced a 4th & Goal from the Boise State six yard-line. The Cougars, who trailed 28-24, had failed to take advantage of multiple redzone opportunities earlier in the game. With the game on the line, Jaren Hall threw a fade to the corner of the endzone to Nacua. With a Boise State cornerback draped all over him (missed PI notwithstanding), Nacua grabbed the ball out of the air with one hand. After a few bobbles, Nacua got control of the ball just before falling out of bounds. The referee stood two or three yards away from play when he ruled the catch a touchdown.
Credit: BYU Photo
Somehow, someway, Nacua was able to get his foot down while falling to the ground. Between the situation, the degree of difficulty, and the impact on the game, Puka Nacua's touchdown catch was one of the best catches in BYU history.
Nacua is the third BYU player to be drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He joins offensive tackle Blake Freeland who was picked in the fourth round by the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Jaren Hall who was taken by the Vikings in the fifth round.
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