Remember the name: BYU freshman WR Tei Nacua proud of family but looks to chart his own course
-
- BYU freshman wide receiver Tei Nacua runs a drill during spring camp at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
-
- BYU freshman wide receiver Tei Nacua runs a drill during spring camp at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
-
- Timpview senior receiver Tei Nacua flexes in celebration after winning the 5A semifinal game against Olympus at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
-
- Timpview senior wide receiver Tei Nacua celebrates after the non-region game at Provo on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
Imagine what it is like to be BYU freshman wide receiver Tei Nacua.
You are the youngest of five brothers, including three who have made it to the NFL. One, Puka Nacua, is considered to be one of the top receivers in pro football right now.
And now you are the last in the family to go play wide receiver at BYU.
So, no pressure, right?
“It’s something I don’t want to shy away from,” Tei Nacua said after practice at the indoor practice facility on Monday. “I want to embrace it. I want to represent the name that is on my back, represent it to the fullest in the best way I know how.”
Tei Nacua is quick to point out that his family connection gives him access to resources most people don’t have as they start the college game.
“I’m calling them consistently,” Tei Nacua said. “I’ll send them clips of reps. I’m always trying to have them break down every single rep. They’re always just telling me to take it day-by-day, that it’s a process. They tell me just to believe in myself, believe in my team and believe in the coaches.”
He particularly looks up to his brothers who also played receiver, Puka and Samson Nacua, since he can relate directly to their experiences and see their capabilities. But he also draws from the experience of his oldest brother, Kai Nacua, who played safety at BYU and in the NFL.
“It’s a huge blessing,” Tei Nacua said. “I love learning from Puka and Samson. If Samson made his way back into the league, they could be the best receivers. That would be a crazy duo. But then having Kai in the backfield, we’ve all learned from a lot from him.”
But he also has his own way of doing things, such as being more reserved than the boisterousness Puka Nacua brings to the field.
“I probably enjoy playing just as much, but Puka is way more visible about it,” Tei Nacua said. “He’s always joking around, jumping up and down. I usually keep more to myself, because when I start thinking I think way too much. I try to take a deep breath and focus back on myself.”
BYU wide receivers coach Fesi Sitake has now coached three of the Nacua brothers and sees both the similarities and the differences.
“They are all different in their own way, but they are alike as well,” Sitake said. “”I don’t like drawing comparisons to Puka and I told Tei that. He is himself, but there are movements he has that are like Puka and Samson as well. What gets us excited is that he is truly his own artist. He has taken from his brothers who were his mentors. It’s fun to watch him grow and there is no doubt I’ve seen flashes of greatness from him.”
Tei Nacua said having such talented siblings pushes him to improve and because the best he can be — which might be even better than the others.
“That’s the plan,” Tei Nacua said. “I want to show everyone I can outshine Puka, although Puka set a pretty high standard for all of us receiver brothers to chase. Having him being my main example and him creating that blueprint for me, if I take it step by step I already know it’s going to take me a long way.”
But while having big aspirations is good, Sitake recognizes that Tei Nacua won’t be where his brothers were when they got to BYU since he is a freshmen and they were transfers (Puka Nacua from Washington and Samson Nacua from Utah). That means he needs to have some patience as he finds his opportunities.
“He is a perfect example of someone who just needs to trust the process,” Sitake said. “He’s so competitive and wants so bad to contribute. I have no doubt he will contribute for us because has all the tools to do that. He needs to stay locked in on his playbook and give himself grace at the right times.”
Tei Nacua said he recognizes that there is a learning curve and he is still figuring things out.
“”There’s still a lot I have to do to develop as a person and then as a player,” Tei Nacua said. “I feel like I get this playbook, I believe I’ll be ready to roll. Then hopefully I can get some rotating time with all of these studs that are in our receiver room.”
He grinned as he talked about the current BYU wide receivers unit which has a number of proven playmakers in Chase Roberts, Keelan Marion, Parker Kingston and Jojo Phillips.
“I love all my guys,” Tei Nacua said. “I’m so grateful to be in the receiver room with them and with Coach Fesi Sitake. There is great leadership all around. I’m super-blessed.”
Sitake is seeing Tei Nacua come into his own though, both physically and mentally.
“He’s turned a corner physically this offseason,” Sitake said. “He’s put on 12 pounds of muscle and is way fitter. He’s moving really, really well right now and he gets the position. Whether it’s one-on-one or seven-on-sevens or team, he’s made a lot of plays. He just needs to focus on the playbook and then I’ll have no trouble putting him in there when I need him.”
The freshman said his goals are to stay consistent and improve on doing the little things, but he also is going to savor the experience and be grateful for what he has.
“Spring’s been exciting,” Tei Nacua said. “I’ve had a crazy amount of fun. I’m so thankful to be out here, thankful to be injury free. It’s been a blast.”
