Wikipedia

Samson Nacua

Samson Lionel Nacua (born January 20, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes and the BYU Cougars.

Samson Nacua
No. 86 – Michigan Panthers
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1998-01-20) January 20, 1998 (age 26)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:206 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Timpview (Provo, Utah)
College:Utah (2016–2020)
BYU (2021)
Undrafted:2022
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active

Early life

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Nacua attended high school at Timpview. Coming out of high school, Nacua decided to commit to play college football for the Utah Utes as a walk-on.[1][2]

College career

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Utah

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In the 2016 season, During the offseason, Nacua earned a scholarship and used the season to redshirt.[3] During Nacua's first collegiate season in 2017, he notched 29 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown.[4] In the 2018 season, Nacua hauled in 31 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns.[5] During the 2019 season, Nacua played in all 14 games for the Utes, totaling 18 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns.[6] In the 2020 season, Nacua played in just two games where he made four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.[7] After the conclusion of the 2020 season, Nacua decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[8][9]

BYU

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Nacua decided to transfer to play for the BYU Cougars with his brother Puka.[10][11] In Nacua's final collegiate season in 2021, he played in all 13 games for BYU where he tallied 21 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns.[12]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		206 lb
(93 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.52 s 1.56 s 2.60 s 4.40 s 6.75 s 32.0 in
(0.81 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 16 reps
All values from Pro Day[13]

Indianapolis Colts

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After not being selected in the 2022 NFL draft, Nacua signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.[14][15] However, Nacua was released by the Colts on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts.[16][17]

Pittsburgh Maulers

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After being released by the Colts, Nacua signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL, where he played in two games.[18][19]

Michigan Panthers

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For the 2024 season, Nacua signed with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL where he notched 11 receptions for 125 yards.[20][21]

New Orleans Saints

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On August 2, 2024, Nacua signed with the New Orleans Saints, returning back to the NFL.[22][23] He was waived on August 27.[24]

Michigan Panthers (second stint)

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On September 23, 2024, Nacua re-signed with the Michigan Panthers.[25]

Personal life

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Nacua has three brothers who all played football, his two oldest Kai and Isaiah both played for the BYU Cougars, where Kai eventually went on to play in the NFL. His younger brother Puka played college football with him at BYU and is currently a pro bowl wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams.[26][27]

References

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  1. ^ Phibbs, Trevor (3 January 2016). "Utah football gets commitment from Timpview WR/DB Samson Nacua". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  2. ^ Roberts, Shane (2 January 2016). "Utes pick up commitment from ATH Samson Nacua". BlockU.com. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  3. ^ Harper, Mitch (9 March 2021). "BYU Football Goes Into Transfer Portal Lands WR Brothers Puka, Samson Nacua". KSL Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  4. ^ Kragthorpe, Kurt (5 August 2018). "'Bigger and better' than the Utes? Samson Nacua explains his support of his USC-bound brother". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  5. ^ Kostecka, Ryan (28 February 2021). "Utah Wide Receiver Samson Nacua Enters NCAA Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  6. ^ Allen, Trevor (27 February 2021). "Utah WR Samson Nacua Enters Name Into NCAA Transfer Portal". KSL Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  7. ^ Furlong, Josh. "Utes senior WR Samson Nacua enters transfer portal". KSL News. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  8. ^ Newman, Josh (26 February 2021). "Utah's Samson Nacua enters NCAA Transfer Portal, making it two Utes wide receivers leaving this month". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  9. ^ McDonald, Ryan (26 February 2021). "Utah Utes WR Samson Nacua in transfer portal". Desert News. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  10. ^ Newman, Josh (9 March 2021). "Wide receivers Samson and Puka Nacua left Utah and Washington, respectively. They're transferring to BYU". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  11. ^ McDonald, Ryan (8 March 2021). "Puka, Samson Nacua announce they're transferring to BYU". Desert News. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  12. ^ McCombs, Robby (30 April 2022). "BYU WR Samson Nacua Signs UDFA Contract With Colts". Vanquish The Foe. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  13. ^ "2022 NFL Draft Scout Samson Nacua College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Reynolds, Kevin (30 April 2022). "BYU wide receiver Samson Nacua signs with NFL's Indianapolis Colts". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  15. ^ Ireland, Kyle (30 April 2022). "BYU WR Samson Nacua Reportedly Signs UDFA Deal With Colts". KSL Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  16. ^ Hickey, Kevin (30 August 2022). "Indianapolis Colts roster cuts: The 27 players who didn't make it". Colts Wire. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  17. ^ Holt, Chandler. "New Orleans Saints Sign Former BYU WR Samson Nacua". KSL Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  18. ^ Kirschenbaum, Alex. "Rams News: Puka Nacua's Brother Signs on with NFC South Squad". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  19. ^ Mosley, Kyle. "Saints Shake Up Roster: Backup QB Released, New Receiver Signed". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  20. ^ Sullivan, Tyler. "Who is Samson Nacua? Get to know Puka's older brother who just signed with this NFL team during training camp". CBS Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  21. ^ Miller, Anthony. "Michigan Panthers Receiver Lands with New Orleans Saints". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  22. ^ Johnson, Luke (August 2, 2024). "The Saints have released a QB in order to sign an NFL star's brother at receiver". NOLA.com. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  23. ^ Alper, Josh (August 2, 2024). "Saints release Nathan Peterman, sign WR Samson Nacua". NBC Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  24. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 27, 2024.
  25. ^ @UFL_PR (September 23, 2024). "The #UFL has announced the following transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved September 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Gonzalaz, Norma. "Why did Samson and Puka Nacua leave their respective P5 football programs to play for BYU? It was all about family". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  27. ^ Sigler, John (August 2, 2024). "Saints sign Samson Nacua, brother of Rams star Puka Nacua". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
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