Samson Lionel Nacua (born January 20, 1998) is an American professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

wide receiver A wide receiver (WR), also referred to as a wideout, and historically known as a split end (SE) or flanker (FL), is an eligible receiver in gridiron football. A key skill position of the offense (American football), offense, WR gets its name ...

for the

Michigan Panthers The Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team based in Metro Detroit. The Panthers competed in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member of the Western Conference and Central Division. The team played its home gam ...

of the United Football League (UFL). He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

for the

Utah Utes The Utah Utes are the college athletics in the United States, intercollegiate athletics teams that represent the University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City. The athletic department is named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans in the Unite ...

and the

BYU Cougars The BYU Cougars are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Brigham Young University (BYU), located in Provo, Utah. BYU fields 21 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) varsity athletic teams. They are a member of the Big 12 C ...

Early life

Nacua attended high school at Timpview. Coming out of high school, Nacua decided to commit to play

for the

as a walk-on.

College career

Utah

In the 2016 season, During the offseason, Nacua earned a scholarship and used the season to redshirt. During Nacua's first collegiate season in 2017, he notched 29 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown. In the 2018 season, Nacua hauled in 31 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns. During the 2019 season, Nacua played in all 14 games for the Utes, totaling 18 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. In the 2020 season, Nacua played in just two games where he made four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. After the conclusion of the 2020 season, Nacua decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

BYU

Nacua decided to transfer to play for the

with his brother Puka. 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.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

After not being selected in the

2022 NFL draft The 2022 NFL draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual NFL draft, draft and was held from April 28–30, 2022, at the Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, Paradise next to Las Vegas. The first round ...

, Nacua signed with the

Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...

as an

undrafted free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...

. However, Nacua was released by the Colts on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts.

Pittsburgh Maulers

After being released by the Colts, Nacua signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the

USFL The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played for three seasons, 1983 through 1985. The league played a spring/summer schedule in each of its active seasons. The 1986 season was scheduled to be ...

, where he played in two games.

Michigan Panthers

For the 2024 season, Nacua signed with the

of the UFL where he notched 11 receptions for 125 yards.

New Orleans Saints

On August 2, 2024, Nacua signed with the

New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...

, returning back to the NFL. He was waived on August 27.

Michigan Panthers (second stint)

On September 23, 2024, Nacua re-signed with the Michigan Panthers, joining brother, Kai Nacua. On April 26, 2025, Nacua was involved with an incident involving a fan following the Panthers' Week 5 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks. Nacua was seen with teammate Adonis Alexander talking to the fan when Nacua struck the fan across the face. The UFL ultimately suspended Nacua for one game due to his actions.

Personal life

Nacua has three brothers who all played football, his two oldest Kai and Isaiah both played for the

, where Kai eventually went on to play in the NFL. His younger brother Puka played

with him at BYU and is currently a Pro Bowl

for the

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West ...

References

External links

BYU Cougars bio

Utah Utes bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nacua, Samson 1998 births Living people BYU Cougars football players Utah Utes football players Players of American football from Provo, Utah American football wide receivers Indianapolis Colts players Michigan Panthers players New Orleans Saints players Pittsburgh Maulers players 21st-century American sportsmen