PROVO, Utah – BYU football added a pair of wide receivers in Puka and Samson Nacua.
Samson Nacua is a graduate transferred from the University of Utah and Puka Nacua joined the Transfer Portal at the University of Washington weekend. Puka Nacua announced the appointments on his personal Instagram page.
The older brother, Samson, will be eligible immediately for the 2021 season. Puka Nacua will have to be absent for one year due to NCAA transfer rules. The NCAA is expected to vote on whether to allow players to have a single waiver for a transfer in April after the Final Four.
Puka and Samson are younger brothers of the former BYU player and current Kai Nacua of the San Francisco 49er and the former BYU signatory Isaiah Nacua.
Puka Nacua Bio
A former four-star recruit from Orem High School in the class of 2019. Nacua is a six-foot, six-foot-two receiver who was a four-star recruit from Orem. Originally committed to the USC, Nacua disengaged 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 short 2020 season, Nacua appeared in three games as a reserve for the Huskies. Last season, Nacua was limited by a foot injury he suffered during the fall camp.
In two years at Montlake, Puka has totaled 16 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. This is good for 19.9 yards per catch.
One of the greatest talents of the wide receiver that the state of Utah has ever produced. Nacua was recruited by BYU when he was a freshman and appeared in the five Cougars finalists outside high school.
“If you have eyes, you saw what he did in high school football. Incredible player. Incredible talent. I know him probably more personally because I trained his brothers. I was with Kai here. So he has that toughness that comes with that family. A great kid, ”said BYU coach Kalani Sitake in 2019, ahead of the Cougars game against Washington.
Nacua trained with former BYU receiver Ross Apo and also worked with former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. A Polynesian selection from the Bowl, Nacua has formed a relationship with current BYU quarterback Jacob Conover. Including an impressive touchdown footprint from Conover.
Puka Nacua will be a real sophomore this year with BYU, with four years to play three.
Samson Nacua Bio
Samson Nacua arrives at BYU as a graduate transferred from the University of Utah. Nacua trained at Timpview High School and was a member of the Utah recruiting class in 2016. Leaving Timpview nearby, Nacua did not receive an offer from BYU.
He signed with Utah as a preferred assistant and, once enrolled, received a scholarship from Utes.
In four years in Utah, Nacua has totaled 1,015 yards, 11 touchdowns in 82 receptions. He averaged 12.4 yards per footprint. His best season was in 2018, where he played in all 14 games for Utes and had five touchdowns.
During a short 2020 season with Utes, Samson appeared in three games playing a total of 51 snaps. He finished seventh in the Utes in receiving yards with four receptions for 29 yards.
Samson Nacua will have only one year of eligibility to play at BYU this fall. He is the second graduate transferred from the University of Utah to BYU this season. The other is Mufi Hill-Hunt, who is currently enrolled and competing in American football.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider at KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12pm to 3pm, KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.