{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Samson Nacua | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = Wide receiver | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|1|20}} | birth_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 206 | high_school = Timpview (Provo, Utah) | college = Utah (2016–2020)<br>BYU (2021) | undraftedyear = 2022 | pastteams = * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * Pittsburgh Maulers ({{USFL Year|2023}}) * Michigan Panthers ({{UFL Year|2024}}) * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * Michigan Panthers ({{UFL Year|2025}}) | status =Active | highlights = | statseason = | statweek = | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = | statlabel2 = Receiving yards | statvalue2 = | statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = | pfr = }}
'''Samson Lionel Nacua''' (born January 20, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Utah Utes and the BYU Cougars.
==Early life== 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phibbs |first1=Trevor |title=Utah football gets commitment from Timpview WR/DB Samson Nacua |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3371853&itype=CMSID |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=3 January 2016 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Shane |title=Utes pick up commitment from ATH Samson Nacua |url=https://www.blocku.com/2016/1/2/10703034/utah-football-utes-pick-up-commitment-from-ath-samson-nacua |website=BlockU.com |date=2 January 2016 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
==College career== === Utah === In the 2016 season, During the offseason, Nacua earned a scholarship and used the season to redshirt.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harper |first1=Mitch |title=BYU Football Goes Into Transfer Portal Lands WR Brothers Puka, Samson Nacua |url=https://kslsports.com/454885/puka-nacua-samson-byu-football-transfer/ |website=KSL Sports |date=9 March 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> During Nacua's first collegiate season in 2017, he notched 29 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kragthorpe |first1=Kurt |title='Bigger and better' than the Utes? Samson Nacua explains his support of his USC-bound brother |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2018/08/05/bigger-better-than-utes/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=5 August 2018 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> In the 2018 season, Nacua hauled in 31 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kostecka |first1=Ryan |title=Utah Wide Receiver Samson Nacua Enters NCAA Transfer Portal |url=https://www.si.com/college/utah/football/utah-wide-receiver-samson-nacua-enters-ncaa-transfer-portal |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=28 February 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> During the 2019 season, Nacua played in all 14 games for the Utes, totaling 18 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Trevor |title=Utah WR Samson Nacua Enters Name Into NCAA Transfer Portal |url=https://kslsports.com/454092/utah-wr-samson-nacua-enters-name-into-ncaa-transfer-portal/ |website=KSL Sports |date=27 February 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> In the 2020 season, Nacua played in just two games where he made four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Furlong |first1=Josh |title=Utes senior WR Samson Nacua enters transfer portal |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50115622/utes-senior-wr-samson-nacua-enters-transfer-portal |website=KSL News |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> After the conclusion of the 2020 season, Nacua decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Josh |title=Utah's Samson Nacua enters NCAA Transfer Portal, making it two Utes wide receivers leaving this month |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2021/02/26/utahs-samson-nacua-enters/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=26 February 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Ryan |title=Utah Utes WR Samson Nacua in transfer portal |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/2/26/22303890/reports-utah-utes-wr-samson-nacua-in-transfer-portal/ |website=Desert News |date=26 February 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
=== BYU === Nacua decided to transfer to play for the BYU Cougars with his brother Puka.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Josh |title=Wide receivers Samson and Puka Nacua left Utah and Washington, respectively. They're transferring to BYU |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2021/03/09/wide-receivers-samson/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=9 March 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Ryan |title=Puka, Samson Nacua announce they're transferring to BYU |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/3/8/22320639/puka-nacua-samson-nacua-announce-theyre-transferring-to-byu-football/ |website=Desert News |date=8 March 2021 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCombs |first1=Robby |title=BYU WR Samson Nacua Signs UDFA Contract With Colts |url=https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2022/4/30/23051198/byu-football-wr-samson-nacua-signs-udfa-contract-with-indianapolis-colts |website=Vanquish The Foe |date=30 April 2022 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 2 7/8 | weight = 206 | dash = 4.52 | ten split = 1.56 | twenty split = 2.60 | shuttle = 4.40 | cone drill = 6.75 | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 1 | bench = 16 | arm span = 32 1/4 | hand span = 9 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 5 7/8 | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1028160&DraftYear=2022 |title=2022 NFL Draft Scout Samson Nacua College Football Profile |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
=== Indianapolis Colts === After not being selected in the 2022 NFL draft, Nacua signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Kevin |title=BYU wide receiver Samson Nacua signs with NFL's Indianapolis Colts |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2022/04/30/milly-rocking-chest/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=30 April 2022 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ireland |first1=Kyle |title=BYU WR Samson Nacua Reportedly Signs UDFA Deal With Colts |url=https://kslsports.com/484952/samson-nacua-byu-wr-indianapolis-colts-udfa-report/ |website=KSL Sports |date=30 April 2022 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> However, Nacua was released by the Colts on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hickey |first1=Kevin |title=Indianapolis Colts roster cuts: The 27 players who didn't make it |url=https://coltswire.usatoday.com/gallery/indianapolis-colts-roster-cuts-players-2022/ |website=Colts Wire |date=30 August 2022 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Holt |first1=Chandler |title=New Orleans Saints Sign Former BYU WR Samson Nacua |url=https://kslsports.com/522115/new-orleans-saints-sing-samson-nacua/ |website=KSL Sports |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
=== Pittsburgh Maulers === After being released by the Colts, Nacua signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL, where he played in two games.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kirschenbaum |first1=Alex |title=Rams News: Puka Nacua's Brother Signs on with NFC South Squad |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/puka-nacua-s-brother-signs-on-with-nfc-south-squad-ak1987 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Mosley |first1=Kyle |title=Saints Shake Up Roster: Backup QB Released, New Receiver Signed |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/news/saints-shake-up-roster-backup-qb-released-new-receiver-signed-01j49xd7p50c |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
=== Michigan Panthers (first stint) === For the 2024 season, Nacua signed with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL where he notched 11 receptions for 125 yards.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Tyler |title=Who is Samson Nacua? Get to know Puka's older brother who just signed with this NFL team during training camp |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/who-is-samson-nacua-get-to-know-pukas-older-brother-who-just-signed-with-this-nfl-team-during-training-camp/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Miller |first1=Anthony |title=Michigan Panthers Receiver Lands with New Orleans Saints |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/ufl/ufl-news/michigan-panthers-receiver-lands-with-new-orleans-saints |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>
=== New Orleans Saints === On August 2, 2024, Nacua signed with the New Orleans Saints, returning back to the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Luke |date=August 2, 2024 |title=The Saints have released a QB in order to sign an NFL star's brother at receiver |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/saints-sign-wr-samson-nacua-cut-qb-nathan-peterman/article_eaff547c-50e4-11ef-8fd6-575135795e28.html |access-date=3 August 2024 |website=NOLA.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Saints release Nathan Peterman, sign WR Samson Nacua |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/saints-release-nathan-peterman-sign-wr-samson-nacua |access-date=3 August 2024 |website=NBC Sports}}</ref> He was waived on August 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-53-man-roster-cuts-moves-transactions-august-27-2024-nfl-season|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
=== Michigan Panthers (second stint) === On September 23, 2024, Nacua re-signed with the Michigan Panthers, joining brother, Kai Nacua.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions |number=1838337550005707004 |date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024}}</ref>
On April 26, 2025, Nacua was involved with an incident involving a fan following the Panthers' Week 5 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cookston |first=Hunter |date=April 27, 2025 |title=Former BYU star Puka Nucua's brother hits fan after crushing loss to St. Louis Battlehawks |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/former-byu-star-puka-nucuas-brother-hits-fan-after-crushing-loss-st-louis-battlehawks/bbf811b24cfe8035fdff7b10 |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=sportingnews.com}}</ref> Nacua was seen with teammate Adonis Alexander talking to the fan when Nacua struck the fan across the face.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=MattyFreshTV |title=Things got a little heated in the Battledome last night.. Video from the crowd shows Michigan's Samson Nacua in a postgame altercation with a fan It's unclear what was said. Anybody who's been to the Dome knows fans love to chirp players. Appears Nacua wasn't happy about it.. |number=1916509026071781587 |date=April 27, 2025 |access-date=April 27, 2025}}</ref> The UFL ultimately suspended Nacua for one game due to his actions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=April 29, 2025 |title=UFL suspends Panthers' Samson Nacua for slapping fan |url=https://www.espn.com/united-football-league/story/_/id/44921046/ufl-suspends-panthers-samson-nacua-slapping-fan |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=ESPN}}</ref> He finished the 2025 season with 9 catches, for 121 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 9 games played.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samson Nacua |url=https://www.theufl.com/teams/michigan/samson-nacua/stats |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Birmingham Stallions === On January 13, 2026, Nacua was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2026 UFL Draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Day One of the 2026 UFL Draft Delivers Immediate Impact and Familiar Faces |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/day-one-of-the-2026-ufl-draft-delivers-immediate-impact-and-familiar-faces |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life== Nacua has three brothers who all played football, his two oldest Kai and Isaiah both played for the BYU Cougars. Kai eventually went on to play in the NFL. His younger brother Puka played college football with Nacua at BYU and is currently a Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gonzalaz |first1=Norma |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Why did Samson and Puka Nacua leave their respective P5 football programs to play for BYU? It was all about family. |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2021/04/09/why-did-samson-puka-nacua/ |access-date=3 August 2024 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sigler |first=John |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Saints sign Samson Nacua, brother of Rams star Puka Nacua |url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2024/08/02/saints-sign-samson-nacua-brother-puka-nacua-rams-nfl-players/ |access-date=3 August 2024 |website=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
=== 2025 SUV stealing incident === In December 2025, Nacua was arrested by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department for allegedly stealing a vehicle. The vehicle was an SUV that belonged to NBA player Adou Thiero, which was eventually tracked down to the One Hotel in West Hollywood, where Samson was identified on security footage after valeting the car and was promptly apprehended. Nacua, and accomplice Trey Rose, were both charged with joyriding.<ref>{{cite web | last=Staszewski | first=Joseph | title=Puka Nacua's brother arrested for allegedly taking Lakers rookie's SUV without permission | website=New York Post | date=2025-12-18 | url=https://nypost.com/2025/12/18/sports/puka-nacuas-brother-samson-arrested-for-allegedly-taking-lakers-adou-thieros-suv/ | access-date=2026-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Preece |first=Brian |date=2025-12-17 |title=Samson Nacua Arrested For Allegedly Taking SUV Of Lakers Rookie |url=https://kslsports.com/local-athletes/samson-nacua-taking-car-lakers/567328 |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=KSL Sports |language=en-us}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://byucougars.com/sports/football/roster/player/samson-nacua BYU Cougars bio] * [https://utahutes.com/sports/football/roster/samson-nacua/10713 Utah Utes bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nacua, Samson}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:BYU Cougars football players Category:Utah Utes football players Category:Players of American football from Provo, Utah Category:American football wide receivers Category:Michigan Panthers (2022) players Category:Indianapolis Colts players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Pittsburgh Maulers (2022) players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Nacua family