The 2024 NFL Combine is just around the corner, as it is set to take place from Monday, Feb. 26, until Monday, Mar. 4. The event, which is one of the most important in the NFL Draft process, has made plenty of athletes a lot of money.
Los Angeles Rams rookie sensation Puka Nacua attended the NFL Combine last year. How good was his performance?
Puka Nacua’s 2023 NFL Combine Performance
Nacua was born May 29, 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is of Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent and is actually named Makea Nacua. His nickname “Puka,” meaning fat and chubby in Samoan, came due to his size as a baby.
He grew up in Provo, Utah, where he attended Orem High School in Orem, Utah. In his high school career, he caught 260 passes or 5,226 yards and 58 touchdowns. All of his numbers are Utah state records.
After his very successful high school career, Nacua committed to the University of Washington, where he was from 2019-2020. He then transferred to BYU for the 2021 season, where he stayed into the 2022 season.
In his four-year college career, Nacua played in 32 games, catching 107 passes for 1,749 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 39 rushing attempts for 357 yards and five more touchdowns. He officially entered the 2023 NFL Draft after his 2022 season, when he had 73 total touches for 834 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Before draft day, however, there was the NFL Combine, as well as his BYU Pro Day. He measured in at 6’1 5/8″ and 201 pounds. His arms were 31 1/2″, and his hand length was 9 1/2″.
When it came to the Drills, though, Nacua participated in everything. He ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash that included 1.62-second 10-yard and 2.64-second 20-yard splits. He ran a 4.36-second 20-yard shuttle and 7.32-second three-cone drill. His vertical jump was 33″, and his broad jump was 10’1″. He also did 15 bench press reps.
KEEP READING: NFL Combine Records — 40 Times, Bench Press, Vertical Jump, and More
Eventually, Nacua was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Rams, where he immediately broke onto the scene. He had 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. He also received Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. His yards and receptions on the season were both NFL rookie records.
In addition to his season-long records, Nacua also broke the records for receptions by a rookie in a game (15) and receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game (181). He was a part of the 2023 PFWA All-Rookie team.
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