Kai Nacua
Defensive Back #12
Ht/Wt
6'
2"
|
215 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Las Vegas, 
Nevada
Last School
Liberty High School
Roster Years
2013-2016


Career Summary

  • Played in 46 career games, starting in 24
  • Played in the NFLPA Bowl (2016)
  • Had 14 career interceptions, the most at BYU since Derwin Gray (2016)
  • Named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List (2016-17)
  • Named the College Sports Madness Preseason Defensive Player of the Year (2016)
  • Named to Phil Steele's Postseason All-Independent First Team (2015)

Personal

  • Full name is Kaimana
  • Majoring in exercise and wellness
  • Also lettered in basketball and volleyball

Before BYU

  • Recruited by SDSU, UNR and UNLV
  • Helped his team to an 11-2 record his senior season
BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2013

  • Played in eight games and tallied 11 tackles
Sophmore Year 2014

  • Reached a career high in tackles with seven and recorded his first career interception with 3:15 left in the game on UCF’s drive in BYU territory

  • Recorded his second interception of the season in the second quarter, returning it 32 yards in the win over UNLV

  • Recorded a season-high 14 tackles in the win at Cal, including 1.5 tackles for loss

  • Recorded 40 tackles on the season, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass breakups

  • Played in all 13 games

  • Earned letterman honors as a sophomore

Junior Year 2015

  • Tied the BYU single-game interception record of three vs. Boise State, including a pick-six to seal the win
  • Named Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week (9/16), AutoNation National Defensive Player of the Week (9/15) and Madness National Defensive Player of the Week (9/14)
  • Recorded an interception and four tackles @ UCLA
  • Notched nine total tackles and tackle for loss against East Carolina
  • Picked off the Fresno State quarterback two times to move into a tie with Daniel Sorensen for No. 2 at BYU in career interceptions (since 2000)
  • Had nine total tackles including seven solo and a pass breakup against Utah State
  • His six interceptions tied Jernaro Gilford's single-season BYU record 
  • The 137 interception return yards in 2015 set a BYU individual season and career record, passing Gilford's season mark of 131 in 2001 and boosted Nacua's career mark to 184 to pass Andrew Rich's total of 160
  • Finished fourth on the team in total tackles, third in pass breakups and first in interceptions
  • Lettered as a junior
  • Played in 12 games and started 12
  • Named to Phil Steele's Postseason All-Independent First Team
Senior Year 2016

  • Played in all 13 games, starting 12
  • Played in the NFLPA Bowl
  • A Jim Thorpe Award (Nation's best DB) Semifinalist
  • Totaled 48 tackles amd 1.5 tackles for loss
  • Has 14 career interceptions, the most at BYU since Derwin Gray's 14 (1989-92)
  • Tied for No. 7 nationally with six interceptions
  • Intercepted two passes at Utah for the third time in his career with two or more picks in a game and also had a fumble recovery
  • Had his first career forced fumble at Boise State
  • Named to the 2016-17 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List
  • Named the College Sports Madness Preseason Defensive Player of the Year along with being named to first team defense
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Medical Redshirt Year



  • Football | Apr, 29

    UPDATE: Nine Cougars get NFL opportunities following NFL Draft

  • Football | Mar, 24

    Former Cougars workout for NFL scouts at Pro Day

  • Football | Jan, 20

    Nacua, Brown, Eide set to compete in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

  • Football | Dec, 21

    BYU holds off Wyoming for 24-21 Poinsettia Bowl win

  • Football | Dec, 13

    BYU lands 15 players on Phil Steele Postseason All-Independent Teams

  • Football | Nov, 22

    Kai Nacua named a finalist for Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award

  • Football | Nov, 22

    Kai Nacua named a finalist for Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award

  • Football | Nov, 21

    BYU battles Utah State in regular-season finale Saturday

  • Football | Oct, 23

    Kai Nacua named a semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award

  • Football | Oct, 23

    Kai Nacua named a semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award

  • Football | Oct, 21

    Turnovers not enough for BYU to overcome No. 14 Boise State

  • Football | Oct, 15

    BYU vs. Mississippi State Postgame Notes

  • Football | Oct, 01

    BYU vs. Toledo Postgame Notes

  • Football | Sep, 10

    BYU at Utah Postgame Notes and Quotes

  • Football | Sep, 10

    Turnovers plague both teams as BYU falls 20-19 at Utah

  • Football | Sep, 05

    BYU to face Utah in Deseret First Duel

  • Football | Sep, 04

    BYU vs. Arizona Postgame Notes and Quotes

  • Football | Sep, 04

    Field goal gives BYU 18-16 win in first game of Sitake era

  • Football | Aug, 29

    BYU travels to Arizona for Cactus Kickoff

  • Football | Aug, 06

    Cougars hold second day of fall practice

  • Football | Nov, 21

    BYU rolls Fresno State 52-10 for undefeated home season

  • Football | Oct, 10

    Brown runs BYU to 45-38 win over East Carolina

  • Football | Oct, 02

    Mangum's 365 passing yards lead BYU to 30-13 win over UConn

  • Football | Sep, 20

    BYU at UCLA Postgame Notes and Quotes

  • Football | Sep, 15

    Kai Nacua named AutoNation National Defensive Player of the Week

  • Football | Sep, 15

    Kai Nacua named AutoNation National Defensive Player of the Week

  • Football | Sep, 13

    Mangum to Juergens touchdown, Nacua pick-six seals 35-24 win

  • Football | Jul, 28

    Kaufusi headlines Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List

  • Football | Jul, 28

    Kaufusi headlines Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List

  • Football | Nov, 22

    Stewart, Carter help Cougars roll Tigers on Senior Day

  • Football | Nov, 15

    Lasike's three touchdowns lead BYU to blowout win over UNLV

  • Football | Oct, 09

    BYU fights through injuries, falls 31-24 to UCF in overtime