Puka Nacua Height, Weight, Age, Parents, Ethnicity, Net Worth, Wife, Biography & More
Puka Nacua is a name that you might want to remember if you are a fan of American football. He is a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, and he has been making waves in the NFL with his impressive performance in his rookie season. He has set several records for receiving yards and receptions, and he has been selected to the Pro Bowl and as a second-team All-Pro. But who is Puka Nacua, and what is his story?
Puka Nacua Wiki/Bio
| Name | Puka Nacua |
|---|---|
| Full name | Makea Nacua |
| Nickname | Puka (means “fat and chubby” in Samoan) |
| Date of birth | May 29, 2001 |
| Place of birth | Provo, Utah, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Polynesian (Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese) |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Position | Wide receiver |
| Number | 17 |
| College | Washington (2019–2020); BYU (2021–2022) |
| NFL draft | 2023 / Round: 5 / Pick: 177 |
| Current team | Los Angeles Rams |
| Girlfriend | Hallie Aiono |
| Parents | Lionel Nacua (deceased) and Penina Nacua |
| Siblings | Kai Nacua, Samson Nacua, Isaiah Nacua, Tei Nacua, and Chanel Nacua |
| Profile | Instagram- @pukaizded Wikipedia- @Puka_Nacua Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday, Ethnicity, and Family
Puka Nacua was born on May 29, 2001 (age: 22 years, as of 2023), in Provo, Utah. His full name is Makea Nacua, but he acquired the nickname “Puka”, meaning fat and chubby in Samoan, due to his size as a baby. He is of Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent, and he grew up in a large and loving family. His parents are Lionel and Penina Nacua, and he has five siblings: Kai, Samson, Isaiah, Tei, and Chanel. All of his brothers are also football players, and they have played or are playing at different colleges and in the NFL. His sister Chanel is a volleyball player at Utah Valley University.
Puka’s father Lionel was a huge influence on his life and his football career. He was his little league coach and he predicted that he would play for BYU someday. He also taught him the values of hard work, faith, and family. Unfortunately, Lionel passed away in 2012, when he was only 11 years old. He died of a heart attack while working as a truck driver. His death was a devastating blow for him and his family, and it took them a long time to cope with the loss.
His mother Penina was the one who kept the family together and supported them through the tough times. She worked as a nurse and raised six children on her own. She also encouraged Puka to pursue his dreams and to honor his father’s legacy.
Stats
| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Washington | 8 | 7 | 168 | 24.0 | 2 |
| 2020 | Washington | 3 | 9 | 151 | 16.8 | 1 |
| 2021 | BYU | 12 | 43 | 805 | 18.7 | 6 |
| 2022 | BYU | 13 | 48 | 625 | 13.0 | 5 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Rams | 17 | 105 | 1,486 | 14.2 | 6 |
Height, Weight
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 201 lbs
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Tan
- Hair color: Black
High School and College Career
Puka Nacua attended Orem High School in Orem, Utah, where he was a star football player. He played as a wide receiver and a defensive back, and he broke several state records for his position. He finished his high school career with 260 catches, 5,226 receiving yards, and 58 receiving touchdowns. He also helped his team win two state championships and was named the Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018. He was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and he received offers from many colleges, including USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Utah. He initially committed to USC, but he changed his mind and signed with Washington.
Puka began his college career at Washington in 2019. He played in the first eight games of his freshman season and caught seven passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a broken foot that ended his season. He had a memorable debut against Eastern Washington, where he caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason. He also had a career-high 97 yards and a touchdown against Oregon. In 2020, he played in three games during the COVID-19-shortened season and had nine receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown. He decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal after the season, citing personal reasons and a desire to be closer to his family.
He transferred to BYU for the 2021 season, fulfilling his father’s prediction and joining his brother Samson, who also transferred from Utah. He had a breakout season with the Cougars, catching 43 passes for 805 yards and six touchdowns. He also showed his versatility by running the ball 18 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He had some of his best games against Arizona State, where he had six catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns, and against Virginia, where he had five catches for 168 yards and one touchdown. He also had a 93-yard touchdown catch against Georgia Southern, the longest in BYU history. He returned for his senior season in 2022 and had 48 receptions for 625 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran the ball 21 times for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He was named to the All-Independent First Team and the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
NFL Career and Contract
Puka Nacua decided to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft after his senior season at BYU. He was projected to be a mid-round pick by most analysts, and he impressed scouts with his size, speed, hands, and route-running ability. He also had a strong showing at the NFL Combine, where he measured 6’1″ and 201 pounds, and ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. He also had a 33-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-1-inch broad jump, and 15 reps on the bench press. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round, 177th overall, of the draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $4 million, with a $300,000 signing bonus.
He made an immediate impact on the Rams’ offense, earning a starting spot as a wide receiver alongside Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. He quickly developed a chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he became one of his favorite targets. He had a sensational rookie season, setting several records for receiving yards and receptions. He finished the season with 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns, breaking the rookie records previously held by Anquan Boldin and Justin Jefferson. He also had some remarkable games, such as his 15-catch, 182-yard performance against the Seattle Seahawks, and his 12-catch, 181-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs. He was named to the Pro Bowl and as a second-team All-Pro, and he was a frontrunner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $500,000 |
| 2023 | $1,000,000 |
| 2024 | $2,000,000 |
Personal Life and Girlfriend
Puka Nacua is not married, but he is in a relationship with Hallie Aiono, who is the sister of singer and YouTube star Alex Aiono. They have been dating since 2019, and they often post pictures of each other on their social media accounts. Hallie is a student at BYU, and she supports him in his football career. She also has a passion for music and fashion, and she has a YouTube channel where she posts covers of songs and vlogs. H and Hallie are a cute and happy couple, and they have a lot of fans who admire their relationship.
Puka is a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he credits his faith for helping him overcome the challenges in his life. He served a two-year mission in San Diego, California, before starting his college career. He also wears a necklace with the letters CTR, which stand for “Choose the Right”, a motto of the church. He is very close to his family, and he often visits them in Utah. He also has a good relationship with his brothers, and he considers them his role models and mentors. He is very humble and grateful for his success, and he always remembers his father and his teachings.
Puka Nacua is a rising star in the NFL, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He is a talented and hard-working player, who has overcome a lot of adversity and tragedy in his life. He is also a loving and faithful person, who values his family, his girlfriend, and his religion. He is an inspiration to many people, especially to those who share his background and culture. He is a proud Samoan, and he represents his heritage with pride and honor.
