Kai Nacua

Kai Nacua
refer to caption
Nacua with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020
No. 21 – Michigan Panthers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1995-03-03) March 3, 1995 (age 29)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Liberty (Henderson, Nevada)
College:BYU
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:19
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Kaimana Nacua Sr. (born March 3, 1995) is an American professional football safety for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at BYU.

Early life

Nacua enjoyed success as a quarterback for the Liberty Patriots. In his senior season in 2012, Nacua's athletic prowess led his team to an 11–2 record. Nacua also lettered in basketball and volleyball. Prior to graduation, Nacua received offers from San Diego State University (SDSU), the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).[1] His Patriots #12 jersey was later retired in 2017.[2]

College career

Nacua committed to Brigham Young University (BYU) where he began his freshman season in 2013 as a defensive back with the BYU Cougars. After the 2014 Miami Beach Bowl loss to the Memphis Tigers, Nacua was seen throwing punches at both Memphis coaches and players. He started 24 of the 46 total games he played while in college. He made the 2015 Phil Steele's Postseason All-Independent First Team and was later named the 2016 College Sports Madness Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Nacua also made the 2016-2017 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. During the 2016 season, Nacua made 14 career interceptions, breaking a record set by Derwin Gray. While at BYU, Nacua majored in exercise and wellness.[1]

Professional career

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 0+3⁄4 in
(1.85 m) 		205 lb
(93 kg) 		31+3⁄4 in
(0.81 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.49 s 1.54 s 2.57 s 4.14 s 6.87 s 39 in
(0.99 m)		 10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		 15 reps
All values from BYU's Pro Day[3]

Cleveland Browns

Nacua was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017.[4][5]

Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot against Justin Currie and Trey Caldwell. On September 3, 2017, the Browns waived Nacua and signed him to their practice squad the next day.[6][7] On September 8, 2017, Nacua was promoted to the active roster.[8] Head coach Hue Jackson named Nacua the backup strong safety behind Derrick Kindred to start the regular season.[9]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Browns' season-opening 21–18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On December 3, 2017, Nacua made his first career tackle during a 19–10 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers.[10] In Week 14, Nacua earned his first career start after Derrick Kindred suffered a wrist injury the week prior. Nacua recorded a season-high five solo tackles during the Browns' 27–21 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He finished the season with 14 combined tackles (12 solo) in 16 games and three starts.[11]

Nacua was waived by the Browns on April 30, 2018.[12]

Baltimore Ravens

On May 1, 2018, Nacua was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens.[13] He was waived on August 31, 2018.[14] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 15, 2018.[15] He was released on October 15, 2018.[16]

Carolina Panthers

On December 5, 2018, Nacua was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on December 31, 2018.[18] He was waived on August 4, 2019.[19]

Indianapolis Colts

On August 19, 2019, Nacua signed with the Indianapolis Colts.[20] He was waived/injured on August 31, 2019 and was placed on injured reserve.[21]

San Francisco 49ers

On November 24, 2020, Nacua was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[22] He was promoted to the active roster on December 2, 2020.[23] On February 11, 2021, Nacua signed a one-year contract extension with the 49ers.[24] He was released on August 27, 2021.[25] He re-signed to the practice squad on September 10, 2021.[26]

New York Jets

On December 23, 2021, Nacua was signed by the New York Jets off the 49ers practice squad.[27] He was promoted to the active roster on December 25, 2021.[28]

On August 23, 2022, Nacua was released.[29] On November 29, 2022, he was re-signed to the Jets practice squad.[30] He was released on December 29.[31]

Michigan Panthers

Nacua signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League on May 9, 2023.[32] He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.[33]

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds Avg TD PD FF FR
2017 CLE 16 3 14 12 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 SF 5 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 21 3 15 13 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

Nacua has three younger brothers who also play football, all of whom are wide receivers. Samson Nacua is a free agent who most recently played for the New Orleans Saints, while Puka Nacua plays for the Los Angeles Rams, and Tei Nacua signed a letter of intent to play at BYU in Fall 2024. Samson also played at BYU after transferring from Utah, and Puka transferred to BYU from Washington.[34] He is of Samoan and Hawaiian descent.[35] He married Alexa Revelles on April 6, 2018. They have two sons, Kaimana Nacua Jr. (born April 10, 2020), and Mateo Rodolfo Nacua (born December 7, 2023).

References

  1. ^ a b "Kai Nacua Sr." Profile at BYU Cougars.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023
  2. ^ "Kai Nacua" at YouTube.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023
  3. ^ "Kai Nacua, Brigham Young, FS, 2017 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Hein, Brett (April 29, 2017). "BYU safety Kai Nacua signs free-agent deal with Cleveland Browns". Vanquish The Foe. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  5. ^ "Browns agree to terms with 11 undrafted free agents". ClevelandBrowns.com. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017.
  6. ^ "Browns claim 5 players off waivers". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 3, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "Browns add 3 to practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 5, 2017. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018.
  8. ^ "Browns elevate LB B.J. Bello and DB Kai Nacua to the active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 8, 2017. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017.
  9. ^ "Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns depth chart: 10/01/2017". ourlads.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  10. ^ "NFL Game Center: Week 13-2017: Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Chargers". NFL.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "NFL Player stats: Kai Nacua (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  12. ^ "Browns sign QB Joel Stave". ClevelandBrowns.com. April 30, 2018. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Mink, Ryan (May 1, 2018). "Ravens Claim Defensive Back Kai Nacua Off Waivers". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018.
  14. ^ Mink, Ryan (August 31, 2018). "Ravens Release 10 Players, Send Four to Injured Reserve". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  15. ^ "Ravens Re-Sign S Kai Nacua To Practice Squad". NFL Trade Rumors. September 15, 2018.
  16. ^ "Ravens Sign Three Players to Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com. October 15, 2018.
  17. ^ Henson, Max (December 5, 2018). "Greg Olsen placed on injured reserve". Panthers.com.
  18. ^ "Panthers sign 13 players to future contracts". Panthers.com. December 31, 2018.
  19. ^ "Panthers make roster move in the secondary". Panthers.com. August 4, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  20. ^ Hickey, Kevin (August 19, 2019). "Colts sign 3 free agents, place WR Daurice Fountain on IR". ColtsWire.USAToday.com. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  21. ^ Walker, Andrew (August 31, 2019). "Colts Announce Final 2019 Roster Cuts". Colts.com.
  22. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 24, 2020.
  23. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. December 2, 2020.
  24. ^ "49ers Sign S Kai Nacua To One-Year Extension". 49ers.com. February 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "49ers Sign OL Corbin Kaufusi; Release S Kai Nacua". 49ers.com. August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  26. ^ "49ers sign S Kai Nacua to the practice squad, release LB Rashad Smith". 49erswebzone.com. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  27. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (December 23, 2021). "Jets Sign S Kai Nacua". NewYorkJets.com.
  28. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". jets.com. December 25, 2021.
  29. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (August 23, 2022). "Jets Release 5 Players to Get Roster to 80". newyorkjets.com.
  30. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (November 29, 2022). "Jets Sign S Kai Nacua, RB Jonathan Ward to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  31. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (December 29, 2022). "Jets Sign WR Malik Taylor to Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com.
  32. ^ @USFLPanthers (May 9, 2023). "Free Agent Signings" (Tweet). Retrieved May 10, 2023 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "UFL Announces Inaugural All-UFL Team". www.theufl.com. June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  34. ^ "BYU Athlete Profile: Samson Nacua". BYUCougars.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  35. ^ Drew, Jay (November 22, 2016). "Kai Nacua a finalist for Polynesian Player of the Year award". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
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