Rams' Puka Nacua Reveals Past Connection To Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams receiver room struggled throughout last season, especially after injuries to WR1 Cooper Kupp and WR2 Van Jefferson. Due to lack of depth at the position, the Rams drafted BYU's Puka Nacua in the fifth round.
After beginning his college career at Washington but rarely seeing the field in two seasons, Nacua transferred to BYU in 2021 and became the team's top receiver. In two seasons with the Cougars, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound receiver racked up 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns on 91 receptions.
Now entering the NFL, Nacua has already made an impact with the Rams, as he's impressed throughout training camp.
Nacua explained the simple reason why he went above and beyond during training camp.
"I watch Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee and Matthew Stafford and those are the leaders of this offense," Nacua said on Tuesday's edition of "Inside Rams Camp." "Watching them move individually, but also collectively as leaders, they communicate so well together and it makes it easier for me."
Nacua has connected more with Kupp than anyone else and has asked him for advice along the way. One of Nacua's main takeaways from Kupp revolves around timing.
"Not everything has to be full speed and pedal to the metal," Nacua said. "(Kupp) is the master of changing tempo, understanding where he needs to be, the timing of the play and how you get leverage in the play. Body control is a thing he's got to the maximum level."
Nacua revealed that he'd taken Kupp's advice long before they shared the field.
"I've had Cooper Kupp come into our college receiver room and do Zoom calls at the University of Washington," Nacua said. "Coach Adams is a receiver coach that coached Cooper Kupp too. When I was in college, I always asked my coach 'do you still have that cut-up of when Cooper's talking to us?'."
Nacua described the actualization of being on the same team as one of his mentors.
"It's funny that I'm right next to him and I'm trying not to be the ultimate fan-girl," Nacua said. "I'm trying to get all the questions that I could ask because I think he's one of the best of all time at the position."
Nacua mentioned some other all-timers at the position he hopes to take pieces of, as he's "trying to build the complete wide receiver."
"I always liked Julio Jones," Nacua said. "Being a bigger receiver and being able to get out of the breaks, I think that separates some of the bigger guys moving into the slot or anywhere else on the field. Julio Jones has always been my guy, but also (Calvin Johnson) and Mike Evans."
Nacua will get his begin his "complete receiver build" journey when the Rams play their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
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