BYU football recruiting: Isaiah Nacua signs with the Cougars

Isaiah Nacua, the No. 24 weak-side defensive end recruit in the country according to the 247sports composite position rankings, has signed his letter of intent to play football for BYU. Nacua played his first three years of high school football for Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Nevada before transferring to Timpview in Provo, Utah for his senior season. Nacua originally committed to BYU back in June 2013, but re-opened his recruiting this past November. In the end, Nacua chose BYU over Arizona State and Utah.

The 6-2, 240 pound Nacua is rated a three-star prospect by 247sports. Nacua had a strong senior season at Timpview totaling 71 tackles and 18.5 sacks on the year, which included a dominate single-game performance against Pleasant Grove High School last August where he recorded 11 tackles and five sacks. Nacua has impressive strength, but needs to put on some size to succeed as a defensive end at the collegiate level. He doesn't have the 40-time that BYU fans have seen from guys like Ziggy Ansah or Bronson Kaufusi recent, but he has an impressive initial get-off that will prove valuable in the pass rush when combined with his strength.

Nacua was a 2014 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl participant and was named one of the top underclassmen at the L.A. Nike camp by 247sports back in 2012.

Nacua plans on serving an LDS mission right away, so he won't be in the mix for playing time on the defensive line for a few more years. With Bronson Kaufusi moving to outside linebacker, Nacua is the kind of player who could have competed for some playing time this season. Expect Naacua to be a difference maker for the Cougars when he returns from his mission in two years.

Here's a video of Nacua's highlights from high school: