Puka Nacua: Stats| Girlfriend| Receiving yards| 40 Time

Introduction

Puka Nacua is a name that has rapidly moved from under-the-radar to must-watch in the NFL landscape. He’s made headlines with gaudy receiving yardage, rookie records, and a clear trajectory toward stardom. In this comprehensive article, we dive deep into his stats, what is (and is not) known about his personal life (including relationships), his prolific receiving yards, and reported 40-yard dash times. Whether you’re a football fan, fantasy manager, or just curious, this guide will bring you up to speed on everything about Puka Nacua.

Who Is Puka Nacua?

Makea “Puka” Nacua was born May 29, 2001, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended Orem High School in Orem, Utah, where he put up record-setting numbers in receptions, receiving yardage, and touchdowns for his state. After high school, he attended the University of Washington (2019–2020) before transferring to Brigham Young University (BYU) for the 2021–2022 seasons.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, Nacua was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 5th round, pick number 177. Despite being a later-round pick, he made an immediate impact for the Rams.

Puka Nacua Stats: Year by Year & Career Totals

When evaluating Nacua, his statistics tell a compelling story of early dominance, consistency, and potential. Below is a breakdown of his receiving and rushing stats, game logs, and records.

NFL Career Receiving & Rushing Stats

According to NFL.com:

• 2023: 105 receptions, 1,486 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns, also 12 rushing attempts for 89 yards

• 2024: 79 receptions, 990 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, plus 11 rushing attempts for 46 yards (1 rushing TD)

• 2025 (so far): 42 receptions, 503 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 3 rushing attempts for 52 yards (1 rushing TD)

All told, as of early 2025:

• Total receptions: 226

• Total receiving yards: 2,979

• Total receiving touchdowns: 10

• Rushing attempts / yards / TDs: 26 rushes for 187 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns

From a per-season perspective, his rookie year was explosive, setting him apart.

Game-by-Game & Recent performance

Looking at his 2025 so far:

• In Week 1 vs. the Texans: 10 catches, 130 yards

• Week 2 @ Titans: 8 catches, 91 yards

• Week 3 @ Eagles: 11 catches, 112 yards

• Week 4 vs. Colts: 13 catches, 170 yards, 1 TD

These performances show that Nacua is heavily targeted and producing consistently high yardage in games.

Rookie Records & Milestones

In just his rookie year (2023), Nacua broke multiple long-standing records. Some of the highlights:

• He set the rookie record for most receiving yards in a single season with 1,486 yards.

• He also broke the rookie record for most receptions in a season (105).

• In Week 2 of 2023, he caught 15 passes, which is the most receptions by a rookie in a game.

• He became the first rookie to eclipse 500 receiving yards in his first 4 games (501 yards).

• Among advanced metrics: he had the second-most yards after catch (YAC) over expected in 2023 (203.5), trailing only Deebo Samuel.

These early achievements helped cement Nacua’s status as a generational rookie performer and a rising star.

Receiving Yards: How He Gains Them

When we talk about “receiving yards,” that’s the sum of all yards obtained via receptions (excluding rushing). Nacua’s success in generating receiving yards is multifactorial. Let’s unpack how he does it.

Route Running & Separation

Nacua displays excellent footwork, quickness, and the ability to separate even against tight coverage. This gives his quarterbacks opportunities to throw in windows. Experts often praise his route discipline and ability to adjust mid-route.

Yards After Catch (YAC)

One of the biggest contributors to his yardage is how much he gains after the catch. His elusiveness, strength, and ability to break tackles allow him to turn short or medium passes into big chunk gains. As mentioned, he posted one of the highest YAC-over-expected numbers among receivers.

Target Volume and Share

Nacua commands a high target share in the Rams’ passing offense. In 2024, he posted a target share of 37% when he returned midseason. He often sees enough volume to make up for fewer explosive plays, because he’s reliable on consistent short-to-intermediate routes.

Versatility & Rushing Touches

Though primarily a receiver, Nacua occasionally gets rushing attempts. In his rookie season he had 12 rushing attempts for 89 yards; in 2025, he’s already logged 3 rushes for 52 yards. These rushing plays add to his overall offense output, but don’t count toward “receiving yards.”

Context & Game Scripts

Because the Rams often rely on passing attacks, Nacua gets ample opportunity in favorable game scripts. When matches require more passing, he’s the go-to target and benefits directly.

40-Yard Dash Time: Speed & Athleticism

One commonly cited benchmark for wide receivers is their 40-yard dash time, which helps evaluate straight-line speed (thinking of the NFL Combine, Pro Day, etc.). For Nacua:

• Some sources list his 40-yard dash time as 4.50 seconds.

• However, it’s worth noting that many publicly reported times are estimates or unofficial, and can vary depending on measurement protocols or timing methods.

• Official verified Combine data for Nacua is harder to come by, which suggests that performances may come from Pro Days or other measurement settings—not all under standardized conditions.

In context, a ~4.50-second 40 isn’t blazing by elite wr standards (some elite receivers run ~4.30–4.40), but Nacua’s game speed, burst, and on-field quickness are arguably more revealing than a raw 40 time.

So while the 4.5 figure is commonly cited, it should be taken as a ballpark estimate rather than an absolute. It gives us a rough idea: Nacua has above-average speed, but his success is more tied to technique, agility, hands, and route running.

Personal Life: Girlfriend & Off-Field Profile

When it comes to public figures, fans often wonder about their personal lives, including romantic relationships. In the case of Puka Nacua:

• There is no well-documented or confirmed public information about a girlfriend (as of the time of writing) in credible sources.

• Searches through mainstream sports media, social profiles, and athlete interview coverage yield no verified mention of a romantic partner.

• It is possible he prefers to keep his private life out of the spotlight, which is common among many athletes.

Because the absence of evidence does not prove nonexistence, we can’t confidently assert his relationship status. From an ethical and accuracy standpoint, until a reliable source confirms it, it remains unknown.

Outside of that, some key personal/biographical highlights:

• Nacua’s nickname “Puka” was given to him soon after birth; it carries Polynesian roots.

• His heritage includes Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent.

• He’s known for being humble, focused, and working diligently on his craft—traits praised by coaches and teammates in various interviews.

Strengths, Weaknesses & Projection

Strengths

1. Consistency & Volume
   Even in his rookie year, he was targeted heavily and delivered week after week. He’s proven he can be a central piece in an offense.

2. YAC & Elusiveness
   His ability to break tackles and generate yards after the catch is a differentiator among wide receivers.

3. Reliable Hands & Route Discipline
   Very few drops have been publicly highlighted; his route-running and ability to adjust mid-route help in contested or tight coverage situations.

4. Versatility
   Though limited, his rushing plays demonstrate added utility.

Weaknesses / Areas to Improve

1. Explosive Speed
   His reported 4.50 40 time is decent but not elite, which means he’s less likely to dominate pure stretch‐vertical matchups purely by speed.

2. Red Zone Efficiency
   Though he gets high volume, his touchdown numbers are modest thus far (10 receiving TDs through ~32 games). That suggests room to improve his red-zone usage or separation in tight spaces.

3. Durability & Game Availability
   In 2024, he missed games or played limited games. Maintaining full-season health is key for longevity.

Projection

If he continues to play at this level or improve, Nacua could become one of the elite receivers in the league. His combination of volume, YAC ability, and route savvy suggest that he is not a one-season wonder but a long-term asset.

Fantasy analysts have already begun treating him as a top-tier receiver option, and his target share in the Rams’ offense bodes well for continued high production.

Summary & Takeaways

• Stats: As of early 2025, Nacua has amassed 226 receptions, 2,979 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns in his NFL career.

• Receiving Yards: His ability to generate yards comes from high volume, YAC, and advanced route-running, not just straight-line speed.

• 40 Time: The commonly cited 4.50-second 40 dash gives a rough estimate of his speed, but real-world game speed and explosiveness matter more.

• Girlfriend / Personal Life: No verified public disclosure of a romantic partner exists at this time; Nacua seems to keep his private life private.

• Outlook: With his trajectory and early success, Puka Nacua is poised to be a perennial standout. If he can remain healthy and improve red-zone production, his ceiling is very high.