BREAKING: Puka and Samson Nacua Announce They Will Transfer to BYU

BYU’s passing attack just got some big upgrades for the 2021 season.

Brothers Puka and Samson Nacua officially announced that they will transfer to BYU. Puka is a wide receiver transfer from Washington and Samson is a wide receiver transfer from Utah. They are the younger brothers of former BYU safety Kai Nacua. They both announced via Instagram.

Both players referenced family in their Instagram posts. Samson specifically mentioned his dad, who passed away in 2012.

Younger brother Puka is a former 4-star recruit from Orem HS and arguably the greatest prep receiver to come from the state of Utah. Puka broke Utah state records for career receptions (260), career receiving yards (5,226), career receiving touchdowns (58), single-season receptions (103), single-season receiving yards (2,336) and single-season receiving touchdowns (26). He was named the 2018 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year and was rated as the #8 wide receiver nationally and #48 overall prospect in the 2019 class by 247Sports.

He’s had some injury issues, but he’s made contributions in 6 games over 2 seasons with 16 receptions for 319 yards and 3 TDs. He recorded stats in only 3 games his freshman season but Washington lists that he played in 8 games, meaning he did not redshirt that season. With the “free” year last season, Puka will be a sophomore in 2021 with a redshirt remaining. Puka absolutely has the talent to be a NFL receiver and could be BYU’s #1 receiver in 2021. Most pundits think the NCAA will pass the one-time waiver exception this offseason, meaning Puka would be eligible for 2021. If the NCAA does not pass the exemption, Puka would apply for a hardship waiver.

Older brother Samson has been a solid contributor for Utah at wideout. He has 82 career receptions for 1,015 yards and 11 TDs and two seasons with over 300 receiving yards. He will be a redshirt senior this upcoming season. Puka and Gunner Romney seem like the favorites to be the top 2 wideouts, but Samson will absolutely be in the mix with Neil Pau’u for the next spot.

BYU’s wide receiver group could possibly be the best its ever been, on top of a tight end duo of Isaac Rex and Dallin Holker. Along with the Nacua brothers, other contributors at wide out are Gunner Romney (767 receiving yards in 2020), Neil Pau’u (603 receiving yards in 2020), Chris Jackson, Keanu Hill, Kody Epps, Chase Roberts, Brayden Cosper, and a handful of other young guys.

Whoever the starting QB is for BYU will have a bevy weapons to throw to. 1,000-yard rusher Tyler Allgeier and Lopini Katoa also form a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield. Zach Wilson is a talent that is irreplaceable and BYU loses key pieces along the offensive line, but this has the potential to be another very dynamic BYU offense that is up for the grind of 7 P5 opponents and top G5 opponents.