Puka Nacua

Mason 15 Feb,2024

Facts of Puka Nacua

Full Name
Makea Nacua
Last Name
Nacua
First Name
Makea
Birth Date

Contents:

Career & Net worth

Salary
$750,000
Net Worth
$500,000
Career Earnings
$994,976

Puka Nacua, born on May 29, 2001, is a wide receiver in American football. He currently competes for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). Nacua's heritage includes Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese roots.

Net Worth & Contracts

Puka Nacua signed a 4 year, $4,084,977 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including a $244,976 signing bonus, $244,976 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,021,244. In 2024, Nacua will earn a base salary of $915,000, while carrying a cap hit of $976,244 and a dead cap value of $183,732.

Puka-NacuaPuka-Nacua has a networth of $500,000Image Source: Instagram 

Nacua has secured a lucrative endorsement agreement with Pepsi, which promises to surpass his earnings from football.

Additionally, his expanding brand has captured the interest of marketing professionals who see him as an exceptionally marketable and contagious product.

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High School & College Career

Puka Nacua attended both Washington and BYU during his college career, starting at Washington from 2019 to 2020 before transferring to BYU for his final two years from 2021 to 2022. His college teams included the Washington Huskies and the BYU Cougars.

Before his college years, Nacua stood out as a four-star wide receiver at Orem High School in Utah, leading his team to consecutive state titles and earning the title of 'Mr. Football' in 2018. 

Additionally, he showcased his talents on the basketball court, accumulating 961 career points, 417 rebounds, 316 assists, and 155 steals over four years.

Journey To Pro

In 2018, he earned the title of 'Mr. Football' by the Deseret News. Nacua, who also excelled in high school basketball, embarked on his professional journey after completing high school and college. His professional career kicked off when he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Puka-NacuaPuka-Nacua was signed to Los Angeles Rams Image Source: Instagram 

Despite his relatively low draft position, Nacua swiftly rose to prominence, setting rookie records for receiving yards and receptions during the 2023 NFL season. 

Alongside his football success, Nacua secured a significant endorsement deal with Pepsi, surpassing his football salary. Furthermore, he has expressed interest in participating in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game.

Career Stats

As of the end of the 2023 NFL season, Puka Nacua has played in 17 games, all with the Los Angeles Rams. He has 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he has rushed for 89 yards on 12 carries. Nacua has also scored 6 touchdowns as a receiver and 6 touchdowns in total.

Puka has a career average of 14.2 yards per reception and 7.4 yards per carry. Nacua has also been involved in special teams, returning 1 kickoff for 10 yards. He has 1 fumble and 0 lost fumbles in his career so far.

Injuries & Setbacks

Throughout his journey, Puka Nacua has encountered various setbacks and hurdles. In 2019, he experienced a fractured left foot, resulting in a sidelined presence for several games during his college years. Nonetheless, these challenges have served to fuel his determination, propelling him to strive for continuous improvement in his performance.

Puka-NacuaPuka-Nacua has faced several injuries in his careerImage Source: Instagram 

Tragically, Puka Nacua faced another significant loss in 2012 when his father, Lionel Nacua, passed away at the age of 45 due to complications from diabetes.

While his father's death was deeply impactful and sorrowful for Puka, it also became a pivotal source of inspiration for his football aspirations. Reflecting on his father's influence, Puka has spoken about how Lionel's passion for football ignited a similar fervor within him for the sport.

Moreover, Puka has openly discussed the profound impact of his father's passing on his personal and professional life. He acknowledges the enduring influence of Lionel's love and support, emphasizing the gratitude he holds for his mother, Penina. Following his father's death, Penina courageously raised Puka and his siblings as a single parent, making significant sacrifices to ensure their well-being and success.

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Charity Involvement

Puka Nacua has actively engaged in philanthropic endeavors. In 2023, he took part in the "My Cause My Cleats" campaign, dedicating his efforts to honoring his late parents. He chose to support two causes close to his heart: the Diabetes Foundation.

Which aims to raise awareness about the disease that claimed his father's life, and the Single Moms Planet, recognizing and assisting single mothers, particularly in tribute to his own mother's resilience and sacrifices in raising him and his siblings alone. This initiative exemplifies Nacua's dedication to philanthropy and his utilization of his platform to champion impactful causes.

Exploring the Dynamics of Player Selection in the NFL

There was a notable incident concerning Puka Nacua's performance and a potential officiating error. During the Los Angeles Rams' Wild Card game against the Detroit Lions, Nacua was part of a play where he appeared to be held by Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton, potentially warranting a pass interference call.

However, the referees opted not to make the call, ultimately contributing to the Rams' loss in the game. This incident sparked discussions within the context of NFL officiating but did not entail any personal controversy for Nacua.

Furthermore, Nacua's draft selection has been subject to scrutiny due to his fifth-round placement. Speculations have arisen regarding the influence of injuries and setbacks during his college career, along with concerns about his route running and technique, on his draft positioning. Nonetheless, these considerations do not constitute a controversy surrounding Nacua.

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