Samson Nacua Bio
Samson Lionel Nacua (born January 20, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 206 pounds, he has built his career as a pass-catcher across several professional leagues, including the National Football League and the United Football League.
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nacua played college football for the Utah Utes and the BYU Cougars before beginning his professional career in 2022. He is the brother of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, and his family has deep roots in the sport. Throughout his career, he has been associated with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Maulers, Michigan Panthers, and New Orleans Saints.
Early Life and Background
Samson Lionel Nacua was born on January 20, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He grew up in a family with a strong football tradition, with three brothers who all played the sport at competitive levels. His oldest brothers, Kai and Isaiah, both played for the BYU Cougars, and Kai later went on to play in the NFL.
Nacua attended Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, where he developed as a football player. Coming out of high school, he chose to play college football for the Utah Utes as a walk-on, demonstrating an early willingness to earn his opportunity rather than arrive on a scholarship. His background in Las Vegas and his time at Timpview helped shape his path toward collegiate and professional football.
Path to American Football
After committing to the Utah Utes as a walk-on, Nacua worked to earn a scholarship during the offseason and used the 2016 season to redshirt. His development at Utah gave him valuable experience in a Power Five program, and he continued to grow as a wide receiver over multiple seasons with the Utes.
Following the 2020 season, Nacua entered the NCAA transfer portal and decided to transfer to play for the BYU Cougars, joining his younger brother Puka. His final collegiate season in 2021 with BYU allowed him to finish his college career on his own terms and prepared him for the next step toward professional football.
Samson Nacua Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
During his time with the Utah Utes from 2016 to 2020, Nacua steadily built his resume as a wide receiver. In his first active collegiate season in 2017, he notched 29 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown. The following year, in 2018, he hauled in 31 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns, showing growth as a red-zone threat.
He played in all 14 games for the Utes in 2019, totaling 18 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. In the 2020 season, he appeared in just two games, making four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown, before deciding to enter the transfer portal. He finished his college career at BYU in 2021, playing in all 13 games and tallying 21 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns.
NFL Debut and Spring Football (2022–2023)
After not being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Nacua signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. He was released by the Colts on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts, ending his first NFL stint.
Following his release, Nacua signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL, where he played in two games during the 2023 season. This move to spring football kept his professional career active and gave him a platform to showcase his skills outside of the NFL.
Michigan Panthers Era (2024–2025)
For the 2024 season, Nacua signed with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL, where he notched 11 receptions for 125 yards. On August 2, 2024, he signed with the New Orleans Saints, briefly returning to the NFL, but he was waived on August 27. On September 23, 2024, he re-signed with the Michigan Panthers, joining his brother Kai Nacua.
In 2025, Nacua finished the season with 9 catches for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns in 9 games played. On April 26, 2025, he was involved in an incident with a fan following the Panthers’ Week 5 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, which led to a one-game suspension from the UFL. On January 13, 2026, he was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2026 UFL Draft.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, Nacua brings size and length to the position. His career statistics show consistent production as a possession receiver, with his best collegiate season in 2018 producing five touchdowns. His ability to contribute as a walk-on at Utah and later produce at BYU reflects strong work ethic and coachability.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable moments of Nacua’s professional career came in 2024 when he briefly returned to the NFL with the New Orleans Saints before rejoining the Michigan Panthers. His 2025 season with the Panthers included 2 touchdowns in 9 games, and he was later selected in the 2026 UFL Draft by the Birmingham Stallions, marking a new chapter in his career.
Samson Nacua Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nacua comes from a family with deep football ties. He has three brothers who all played football, including his two oldest brothers, Kai and Isaiah, who both played for the BYU Cougars. Kai eventually went on to play in the NFL, continuing the family’s professional football tradition.
Personal Life
His younger brother, Puka Nacua, played college football with Samson at BYU and is currently a Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. The brothers’ shared path through BYU highlights the close family connection to the sport. In December 2025, Nacua was arrested by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in connection with an SUV joyriding incident.
2025 Season Performance
Nacua’s 2025 season with the Michigan Panthers was a campaign marked by both production and controversy. He finished the year with 9 receptions for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns across 9 games played, providing a steady presence in the Panthers’ receiving corps.
The season included a Week 5 incident involving a fan after a loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, which resulted in a one-game suspension from the UFL. Despite the off-field distraction, Nacua remained a contributor on offense and finished the season as part of a Panthers team that continued to feature multiple members of his family, including his brother Kai.
Following the 2025 season, Nacua’s professional trajectory took a new turn when he was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2026 UFL Draft on January 13, 2026, setting up a fresh opportunity with a new organization.
