Top Plays From Puka Nacua During 2023 NFL Season
Feb 18, 2024, 7:04 PM
Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a two point conversion score during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars and current Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua entered the NFL in 2023 and immediately became a superstar as a rookie.
Puka Nacua best plays in 2023
Here are the top plays made by the Orem High product during his first season in the league:
First NFL touchdown lifts Rams to overtime win over Indianapolis Colts
.@AsapPuka FTW 🤙
The former @BYUfootball star scores his first career touchdown in OT to lift the @RamsNFL to victory over the @Colts. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #RamsHouse #LARvsIND #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/zHck0qwEnA
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 1, 2023
Sideline catch in double coverage vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
WHAT A PLAY BY PUKA NACUA
📺 @NFLonFOX | 1️⃣7️⃣ @ASAPPuka pic.twitter.com/ztrVKiuoYh
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 22, 2023
No words can describe this catch from Puka 😳
📺: #PITvsLAR on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2VMgzEtkRh— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Diving catch vs. Baltimore Ravens
Puka Nacua! What a grab without gloves 🔥
📺: #LARvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/fIdTuxE8yy— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
This kid is special. @AsapPuka
📺: #LARvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/GXRIBKVkeV— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
One-handed catch off of deflection vs. Colts
Puka Nacua sets the record for most receptions through a player’s first 4 games (31) 🙌
📺: #LARvsIND on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/T0zSRK6iQ4— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
70-yard touchdown vs. Cleveland Browns
.@AsapPuka takes it 70 yards to the 🏠 and gets over 1,000 receiving yards for the season.#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #CLEvsLAR #RamsHouse #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/MBxTJDlxPs
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) December 3, 2023
Breaks NFL record for receiving yards in a season by a rookie vs. San Francisco 49ers
HISTORY 👏 Puka Nacua becomes the ALL-TIME NFL rookie record holder for receiving yards in a season!
📺: #LARvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/fgWhCQyHXB— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Breaks NFL record for receptions in a season by a rookie vs. 49ers
HE DID IT!
Right after breaking one record, @AsapPuka breaks another. Most catches in a single season by a rookie in the NFL, EVER. 😱 pic.twitter.com/LwFNSlbFh9
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
50-yard touchdown in playoff debut vs. Detroit Lions
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 15, 2024
About Puka Nacua
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Pre-NFL
Before his college career, the Provo, Utah native played high school football at Orem High School. He finished his career with the Tigers as the owner of multiple state records.
Nacua helped the Tigers win back-to-back 4A state titles in 2017 and 2018.
After high school, the receiver attended the University of Washington and played a couple of seasons for the Huskies.
During his two years in Seattle, Nacua had 16 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns.
After the 2020 season, Nacua returned home to Provo and transferred to BYU. He immediately became a star for the Cougars.
In 2021, Nacua hauled in 43 receptions for 805 yards and six touchdowns. Despite battling injuries last season, Nacua recorded 48 catches for 625 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. He also ran for 209 yards and five touchdowns in his final season at BYU.
Jaren Hall with a strike to Puka Nacua.
🎥: @CFBONFOX
pic.twitter.com/OiEusvRyli— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 6, 2022
Nacua finished his BYU career with a total of 91 catches for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver. He added 39 carries for 357 yards and five touchdowns with his legs.
Rookie Season
In April 2023, the Rams selected Nacua with the No. 177 overall pick during the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Nacua finished his first season as a professional with an NFL rookie record 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He also scored six touchdowns.
Puka, man.
Gotta catch 'em all 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7rsLawwY3S
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
The rookie wideout received NFL All-Pro second-team honors for his play in 2023. He finished as the runner-up to C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
