Puka Nacua was a star almost immediately upon his entry into the NFL.
It's not something many people around the league expected. He didn't get drafted until the fifth round, after 176 other players had gone off the board in 2023.
But he most certainly arrived with a major impact, and three seasons into his career, he's off to a prolific start to 2025.
How did Nacua get here? With a supportive family, an amusing nickname, and talented and skill that far outdoes what's on paper.
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What is Puka Nacua's ethnicity?
Puka Nacua has a mixed heritage that combines roots in Samoa, Hawaii and Portugal.
That's according to NBC Sports' Peter King, who wrote about Nacua's upbringing in a great feature story early in his rookie year.
Nacua was born in Las Vegas, and he ended up growing up in Utah. He attended Orem High School before enrolling at Washington and then transferring to BYU.
What does Puka Nacua's name mean?
Puka, for those unsure, is a nickname.
Nacua's name is Makea Nacua.
Puka is a Samoan word that means fat and chubby. Nacua earned it due to his size as a baby, and it stuck.
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Puka Nacua's 40 time
Puka Nacua didn't blow anyone away in his pre-draft process. His 40-yard dash a good but not great 4.57 seconds.
On the field, though, he gets wherever he wants, is immensely physical and also has top-end speed that has been tracked above 21 miles per hour.
Why did Puka Nacua fall to 5th round of 2023 NFL Draft?
Nacua entered the draft with an injury history and lots of questions.
He didn't participate at the NFL Combine and put up less-than-ideal numbers at his Pro Day after competing at a lower-than-best level at BYU.
Nacua clearly had more to offer than teams saw. His hands are elite. He's naturally competitive. And with the ball in his possession, he's incredibly impressive.
The Rams got a steal, and now they're reaping the major rewards.
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