Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua cemented his name in the history books, setting two new rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486).
He breaks a 63-year-old record for most receiving yards by a rookie, held by Bill Groman, who had 1,473 receiving yards in a 14-game season in 1960.
Nacua becomes the third rookie to surpass 100 receptions during his rookie campaign joining Jaylen Waddle and Anquan Boldin in the record books.
He also had seven 100-yard games in his sensational rookie campaign which ties Harlon Hill (1954), Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Justin Jefferson (2020).
He breaks both records Week 18 at San Francisco and finished the day with 4 receptions with 41 yards and a touchdown, getting pulled for playoff preservation after he stamped his name in the record books.
Nacua could perhaps be the steal of the draft in 2023, he was selected with the 177th overall pick of the 5th round.
19 wide receivers were taken before the 6’2” prospect out of BYU was selected.
After this stellar season, and with former Super Bowl MVP teammate Cooper Cupp now in his 30’s, Puka may soon be the new WR1 in Los Angeles.
He proved to be more than capable of handling the lead wideout role during Cupp’s four-game absence to start the season hauling in 39 receptions with 501 yards in the 4-game span, while also recording his first career receiving touchdown in week 4 at Indianapolis.
The rookie phenom started his professional career off hot and veteran quarterback Mathew Stafford didn’t shy away from his rookie pass catcher.
In the season opener, Nacua busted on the scene receiving a team high 15 targets hauling in 10 receptions for 119 yards.
The following week at home vs division rival San Francisco, Nacua would break his first record for most receptions in a single game with 15, he was again targeted a team high 20 times recording 147 yards.
The 22-year-old wide receiver finished his rookie campaign with 105 receptions, 1,486 yards and 6 Td’s, and was selected to the 2023 Pro Bowl.
Expectations are high now that Puka set the bar so high, can he continue his tremendous year into the post season?
Only time will tell.