Puka Nacua | Age, Stats, Contract, Family & NFL Career
Puka Nacua is an American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams who rose to national fame with a record-setting rookie season in 2023.
Known for strong hands, physical routes, and yards after the catch, he has become one of the NFL’s most productive pass catchers while drawing attention for his family story and off-field controversies.
Who Is Puka Nacua?
Puka Nacua, whose given name is Makea, is a 25-year-old NFL wide receiver who wears No. 12 for the Rams. Born in Las Vegas and raised in Utah, he played college football at Washington and BYU before being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Puka Nacua at a Glance
Puka Nacua is an American wide receiver whose career is defined by a historic rookie year and continued high-volume production.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Makea Puka Nacua |
| Date of birth | May 29, 2001 |
| Age | 25 as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Hometown | Provo, Utah |
| Nationality | American |
| Family heritage | Samoan, Hawaiian, German, and Portuguese roots |
| Position and jersey | Wide receiver, No. 12 |
| Team | Los Angeles Rams |
| Colleges | University of Washington and Brigham Young University |
| NFL Draft | 2023, Round 5, Pick 177 |
| 40-yard dash | 4.48 seconds at BYU’s 2022 Pro Day |
Early Life, Family, and Ethnicity
Nacua was born in Las Vegas and grew up in Provo, Utah, where he attended Orem High School. His mother, Penina, has Samoan and German roots, while his late father, Lionel, had Hawaiian and Portuguese heritage. Nacua is American by nationality and comes from a family background that connects Pacific Islander and European ancestry.
Football was central to family life. Lionel trained his sons with backyard drills and film study, but died from diabetes complications shortly before Puka’s 11th birthday. Their mother, Penina, supported the family and their sports goals. His brothers Kai, Isaiah, Samson, and Tei also have football ties, including time at BYU and professional opportunities.
The name Puka came from his late grandmother and stuck through school; close family members still use Makea. At Orem High, he became one of Utah’s most productive receivers and was named Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year in 2018.
College Career at Washington and BYU
Nacua began at the University of Washington before transferring to BYU. Injuries limited his time in Seattle, where he recorded 16 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns across two seasons.
He transferred to BYU in 2021 to be closer to family and an ailing grandmother. He caught 43 passes for 805 yards and six touchdowns that year. In 2022, he had 48 catches for 625 yards and five receiving touchdowns in nine games, while also contributing as a runner.
Puka Nacua’s NFL Draft and Breakout Rookie Season
The Rams selected Nacua 177th overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He quickly became a major part of the offense, making his selection outside the first round look like a significant value pick.
Nacua finished his first NFL season with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. Those totals set NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards at the time. He also set a rookie single-game mark with 15 catches and recorded 25 receptions across his first two career games.
His debut season earned him a Pro Bowl selection, second-team All-Pro honors, and a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Puka Nacua Stats and Career Achievements
Through Week 6 of 2026, Nacua had 350 career catches, 4,608 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns in 48 regular-season games. In 2025, he led the NFL with 129 catches, 1,715 yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns.
| Season | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 105 | 1,486 | 6 |
| 2024 | 79 | 990 | 3 |
| 2025 | 129 | 1,715 | 10 |
| 2026 through Week 6 | 37 | 417 | 1 |
| Career through Week 6, 2026 | 350 | 4,608 | 20 |
His most notable career milestones include:
- Set NFL rookie records with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards in 2023.
- Earned Pro Bowl selections after the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
- Received second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and first-team All-Pro honors in 2025.
- Led the NFL in receptions in 2025, while ranking second in receiving yards that season.
His value goes beyond deep catches. He attacks the middle, handles contact, and turns short throws into gains. He is a frequent fantasy football option when healthy, though weekly projections depend on injury status and matchup.
Puka Nacua’s Contract and Salary
Nacua is playing the final season of his four-year rookie contract in 2026, and no extension had been announced as of October 20, 2026. His original deal with the Rams was reported at about $4.085 million, while a performance-based adjustment raised his 2026 base salary to roughly $5.77 million.
Nacua discussed his contract during training camp but continued to practice. His production gives him a strong case for a major deal, yet projected extension figures remain speculation until the Rams or Nacua announce an agreement.
Puka Nacua’s Injury and Rehab Updates
Nacua missed Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2026 season after a hip injury that Rams coach Sean McVay later described as groin soreness. He had also dealt with a psoas issue during preseason practices.
Nacua returned in Week 4 and played in Weeks 4, 5, and 6, catching six passes for 80 yards against Arizona on October 18. As of October 20, his official status for Week 7 had not yet been established.
Reports about rehabilitation refer to a separate care facility Nacua entered in March 2026. His attorney said the stay focused on personal growth and behavior. Public reporting has not established a diagnosis, and the facility was separate from his football injuries.
Puka Nacua’s Relationship, Girlfriend, and Family
Nacua is not publicly known to be married, and there is no reliable public record of a marriage or divorce. He and Hallie Aiono announced in May 2025 that they were expecting a boy, and their son, Kingston, was born in October 2025.
Later reports described Aiono as Nacua’s former girlfriend, while his current relationship status has not been clearly confirmed.
Rumors have linked Nacua to actress Sydney Sweeney and other public figures, but no reliable report or public statement has confirmed those claims. Social media speculation should be separated from established information about his family.
What Was the Puka Nacua Gesture Controversy Involving Adin Ross?
A major controversy arose in December 2025, when Nacua copied a hand-rubbing gesture during a livestream with internet personality Adin Ross and streamer N3on. The gesture was suggested as a possible touchdown celebration, but it invokes an antisemitic stereotype that portrays Jewish people as greedy.
Nacua apologized, saying he did not understand the gesture’s meaning and opposed racism and hate. The Rams and NFL condemned antisemitism. The NFL fined him $25,000 for separate criticism of officials during the stream and initially left any discipline for the gesture to the Rams. This was separate from the later civil lawsuit.
What Is the Latest on Puka Nacua’s Lawsuit and Suspension?
A civil lawsuit filed in March 2026 alleges that Nacua bit a woman and her friend during a New Year’s Eve 2025 gathering and made an antisemitic remark. Nacua denied the alleged remark, and his attorney described the biting as horseplay. These claims remain allegations, not findings of guilt.
The woman withdrew a separate restraining-order petition in April, but that did not resolve the civil lawsuit. In August 2026, a judge offered mediation and set a trial date of March 27, 2028, if the case is not settled.
As of October 20, 2026, no suspension had been announced, although reports said the NFL’s personal conduct review could continue. His two missed games in September were publicly attributed to hip and groin issues, not a suspension.
Puka Nacua is one of several standout NFL wide receivers profiled on Days Magazine. Readers can also explore the careers of Stefon Diggs of the Washington Commanders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers, former star Antonio Brown, and return specialist Braxton Berrios of the New York Giants.
Conclusion
Puka Nacua has turned a fifth-round draft selection into one of the NFL’s most productive receiving careers, backed by rookie records, Pro Bowl honors, and a league-leading catch total in 2025.
His family background and rise through Washington and BYU help explain his path, while his contract, health, and off-field matters remain important parts of his story as the 2026 season continues.
