BYU’s Puka Nacua is a homegrown expertise and the most recent Cougar ability place participant to be taken within the NFL draft. Tyler Tate, Related Press
Among the best broad receivers to return out of Utah simply turned an NFL draft choose.
Former BYU and Orem Excessive receiver Puka Nacua was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams with the ultimate choose of the fifth spherical (No. 177 general) of the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday.
Nacua starred each as a Cougar and a Tiger earlier than declaring to go professional after his junior season.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pounder caught 91 passes for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns over two seasons at BYU, whereas including 357 speeding yards and 5 extra scores on the bottom.
That got here after taking part in two seasons at Washington, the place he totaled 16 receptions, 319 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons for the Huskies earlier than transferring to be nearer to residence.
Nacua was the Deseret Information’ Mr. Soccer as a senior at Orem Excessive, when he led the nation in receiving, averaging 166.9 yards per recreation, and set state single-season information with 103 receptions for two,336 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Nacua has two brothers who’ve signed with NFL groups, although he’s the primary one to be drafted.
Brother Kai Nacua, who spent his whole faculty profession at BYU, has performed primarily on particular groups for six totally different groups over six NFL seasons, most lately with the New York Jets.
Brother Samson Nacua, who performed at BYU for his senior 12 months after 5 seasons at Utah, signed with the Indianapolis Colts final 12 months after going undrafted however was waived previous to the common season.
What specialists mentioned about Puka Nacua
“Nacua must show he can keep wholesome and on the sphere on the subsequent stage, however he's good, robust and athletic with the locked-in focus that provides him a combating probability to earn an NFL roster spot.” — The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
“He would possibly should be used as a possession receiver working from the slot, the place his ball-winning and dimension can work in his favor. He’s sneaky proficient with the ball in his palms, so jet-sweep work within the professionals could possibly be an possibility.” — NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
“He has common top-end velocity and burst, which ends up in slower releases off the road of scrimmage. Defenders can re-route him on the line of scrimmage by jams, however he does a great job of contorting his physique to win on the catch level.” — CBS Sports activities’ scouting report.
What specialists mentioned concerning the choice
“For a crew that has reduce its journey for scouts and executives in recent times, the Rams positive do appear to love Reese’s Senior Bowl prospects — that’s their third such prospect in a four-pick span. Nacua had some Cooper Kupp-like moments within the first apply in Cellular, Alabama, earlier than shutting it down. Accidents have adopted him yearly, however Nacua has a big-play monitor report over 4 years.” — Eric Edholm, NFL.com.
“Overachiever who, regardless of average-ish athleticism, is artistic after the catch and can bounce off some tacklers. Physique-contorting capacity to trace it down the sphere. Little or no velocity and must get faster to beat press on the line.” — Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports activities.
BYU broad receivers beforehand taken within the NFL draft
Yr — Participant, Spherical, Choose No., Workforce
2021 — Dax Milne, Spherical 7, No. 258, Washington Soccer Workforce.
2009 — Austin Collie, Spherical 4, No. 127, Indianapolis Colts.
2006 — Todd Watkins, Spherical 7, No. 218, Arizona Cardinals.
1987 — Mark Bellini, Spherical 7, No. 170, Indianapolis Colts.
1986 — Glen Kozlowski, Spherical 11, No. 305, Chicago Bears.
1984 — Kirk Pendleton, Spherical 11, No. 304, San Francisco 49ers.
1982 — Dan Plater, Spherical 4, No. 106, Denver Broncos.
1981 — Scott Phillips, Spherical 4, No. 87, Seattle Seahawks.
1981 — Lloyd Jones, Spherical 8, No. 195, New York Jets.
1972 — Golden Richards, Spherical 2, No. 46, Dallas Cowboys.
1968 — Phil Odle, Spherical 5, No. 120, Detroit Lions.
1968 — Casey Boyett, Spherical 9, No. 233, San Francisco 49ers.
1967 — Casey Boyett, Spherical 14, No. 363, Oakland Raiders.