The Los Angeles Rams came into the 2023 NFL regular season with high hopes of bouncing back after a disappointing 2022 campaign, as the team would get veterans Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp back on the field.
One thing the Rams didn’t expect in 2023 was a star emerging in the form of rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua out of BYU, who the team brought in with the No. 177 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Puka has far exceeded expectations while becoming the ideal complement to Kupp in the receiving corps while building some incredible chemistry with Stafford in the passing game.
The BYU product has been so good during his first season in Los Angeles that he broke the Rams’ rookie receiving record and continues to add to his impressive stats to finish out the 2023 campaign.
Nacua has become such a household name with the Rams that he has drawn the attention of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who has praised the rookie for what he’s done this season in the City of the Angels.
Nacua was recently asked about getting praised by James for his efforts on the football field this season, and said he was “smiling from ear to ear” because he’s a massive fan of the four-time NBA champion, via SiriusXM NFL Radio.
.@RamsNFL WR Puka Nacua on his reaction to getting a shoutout from @KingJames and the lessons learned from an all-time NBA legend
“I’m smiling from ear to ear…I’m a huge LeBron fan…”#TNF | #RamsHouse | @AsapPuka pic.twitter.com/fqcwyjys7W
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) December 21, 2023
Coming into Week 16’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Nacua has racked up 1,163 yards and four touchdowns on 87 receptions, which is impressive, to say the least, especially for a rookie.
The Rams hope to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Saints before finishing out the regular season against the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
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