Puka Nacua’s path to the NFL history books
Puka Nacua, the fifth-round draft pick out of BYU, got off to a record-breaking start to his NFL career — and he finished his rookie year with a bang as well.
The Utah native broke the NFL rookie receiving yards and receptions records on Sunday during the Los Angeles Rams’ game at the San Francisco 49ers, doing so on back-to-back plays.
Those weren’t the only records he broke this season.
Nacua set the NFL rookie single-game receptions record with 15 in a Week 2 matchup, and his 25 receptions through two weeks also set the league record for catches by a rookie through his first two career games.
His 39 receptions for 501 yards through four weeks of the 2023 season were also both records for an NFL player through his first four career games.
The Deseret News has tracked Nacua’s statistics in both categories — receptions and receiving yards — throughout the season.
Here’s a look back at how he broke both rookie single-season records:
How Puka Nacua broke the NFL rookie receptions record
Nacua’s receptions as a rookie: 105 receptions.
The top three in NFL rookie pass receptions:
105 receptions — Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams, 2021.
104 receptions — Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins, 2021.
101 — Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals, 2003.
How Puka Nacua broke the NFL rookie receiving yards record
Nacua’s receiving yards as a rookie: 1,486 receiving yards.
The top three in NFL rookie receiving yards:
1,486 receiving yards — Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams, 2023.
1,473 receiving yards — Bill Groman, Houston Oilers, 1960.
1,455 — Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals, 2021.
