Benjamin Ashford|LA's newest star Puka Nacua prepares for encore of record rookie season

Life is Benjamin Ashfordsure different for Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua. 

One year ago, the former BYU wideout was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft, hoping to not only be a contributor, but stay on the roster. Now, Nacua has solidified himself as one of the top players for Los Angeles after he had a record-breaking rookie season. 

With success comes fame, and it’s something he’s had to adjust to. Even though the constant attention he gets when in public has led to him spending more time at home than before, Nacua has a soft spot for the happiness and smiles that greet him. Whenever he’s out and about, he gets plenty of shakas and references to his stylish hair. And there are more and more people out sporting his jersey on a near everyday basis. 

The more and more it happens, the more everyone realizes Nacua is a certified star.

"To be recognized out here in LA – of all places – is definitely a different level," Nacua told USA TODAY Sports. "My family sees that and they're like ‘Wow Puka, you actually are really famous.’"

All things Rams: Latest Los Angeles Rams news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Another result of his on field success is Nacua was named as one of the newest additions to Toyota’s NFL partners, along with Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens, Michael Pittman Jr. of the Indianapolis Colts and Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots. It’s an ideal partnership for Nacua since he owns a Supra, noting it is the same car that Paul Walker drove in the original "The Fast and the Furious." 

But another reason why Nacua is aligned with the brand is Toyota said it wanted athletes that have deep connections to their communities, family and friends, and for Nacua, family is everything.

Sure he is busy, but Nacua always makes time for his family, mostly his mom, Penina Nacua, and six other siblings. They FaceTime together at least once a day, sometimes even three times in a day. The resilience and strength his mother showed after he lost his father in his early teens is something he is forever grateful for, and something he often thinks about when he takes the football field.

"My mother is everything to me and my family. Being able to be the rock of our family and support us in that hard time," Nacua said. "The strength of the single mother, being able to carry all of us kids and then to continue to carry on, it's something that I use to call upon."

Preparing for 2024 season

Nacua has a tall task ahead of him as he tries to live up to or even top his rookie season, which he finished with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards, both NFL rookie records.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Nacua has trained with All-Pro teammate Cooper Kupp during the offseason to get the full scope of what it takes to be an elite receiver. ESPN reported the workouts have been so intense, Nacua started the training constantly throwing up, realizing he needed to change his diet to match Kupp.  

Not only is he acting like Kupp, but Nacua has also started to look just like him too. No longer does he have a baby face, but a full-on beard too, almost becoming a mini-Kupp, even though they are the same height. 

Nacua admitted people have told him he’s looking just like Kupp, and even though he trimmed it down a bit, expect the facial hair to stick around this season.

"Coop's got a nice thick one," he said. "During the season, I don't know if I'll shave my beard. But for now, while it feels like it's 700 degrees in California, I'm gonna be a nice slim beard guy."

But the training sessions with Kupp have been a big benefit to Nacua’s preparation for the season, checking off all the boxes he wanted to achieve as training camp nears. With a full season under belt, Nacua feels like he can spend more time in training camp honing in on certain aspects of his game, including in the weight room and in recovery. Becoming more precise is something he can afford to do since he doesn’t have to worry about getting cut before taking a meaningful snap. 

All the particular training is preparation for Nacua to reach his biggest goal for Nacua this season: not miss a game – something he achieved his rookie year

"You never know what play might be your last," Nacua said. "I feel like I've prepared my body well enough for what we're about to go through and I'll be ready to roll for hopefully 21 weeks."

But he also has his eyes set on winning the triple crown, something Kupp did in 2021, giving him another opportunity to mirror his illustrious mentor.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.