| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Makea Nacua |
| Birthday: | May 29, 2001 (age 24 years), Born in Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Height: | 6'2" (188 cm) |
| Education: | Orem High School (Diploma) University of Washington (No Degree) Brigham Young University (BS), Family Life |
Overview
Puka Nacua is an American professional football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, who distinguished himself with a record-setting high school career, played collegiately at Washington and BYU, and made an immediate NFL impact by setting rookie records for receptions and receiving yards en route to Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selections; his nickname “Puka” means “fat” or “chubby” in Samoan.
Latest News (Feb 3, 2026): Puka Nacua made waves at the 2026 Pro Bowl Games by revealing in an interview with Overtime Sports that he allegedly has "reservations" for a skydiving date this Wednesday with actress Sydney Sweeney. This follows his viral January 31st post on X, where he responded to Sweeney's "sporty girl" interview by stating he loves skydiving, a tweet that has already amassed over 19 million views.
Early Life and Family
Makea “Puka” Nacua was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Penina and Lionel Nacua. He is of Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent. His family has a strong athletic background, with three of his older brothers—Kai, Samson, and Isaiah—also playing professional football. Makea grew up in Provo, Utah, and attended Orem High School. His father, Lionel, passed away when Makea was ten years old.
High School and College Career
At Orem High School, Makea excelled in football. During his senior year, he set state records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. His performance earned him the title of Utah’s Mr. Football in 2018.
Following high school, Makea initially enrolled at the University of Washington in 2019. After two seasons with the Huskies, he transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2021 to be closer to his family.
Professional Football Career
Makea was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had an immediate impact in his rookie season, setting new NFL rookie records for both receptions and receiving yards. His outstanding performance led to him being named to the Pro Bowl and selected as a second-team All-Pro.
Personal Life
Makea has five siblings: four brothers and a sister. His nickname, “Puka,” means “fat” or “chubby” in Samoan and was given to him as a baby.