2013 BYU Football Newcomers: Kai Nacua
By Mitch Harper
Here at Lawless Republic we will be profiling all the 2013 signees & return missionaries who will be joining the BYU Football team this season. This will be a daily feature on the site as we count down to Fall Camp.
espn.com
Kai Nacua
Henderson, NV – Liberty HS
6-2 | 205 | Linebacker
Before BYU: Versatile linebacker & option quarterback for the Patriots of Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. Nacua caught the eye of BYU coaches at Junior Day in 2012. Nacua received an offer while visiting BYU from Linebackers coach, Paul Tidwell. Nacua’s brother and father were both there to support Kai.
That Junior Day visit with Kai’s father and brother was a key moment in Kai choosing BYU. Kai’s father had a dying wish, to see both of his sons play football at BYU. Kai’s father died unexpectedly on May 14, 2012 due to diabetes complications. One month later, both Kai and his brother, Isaiah (25th ranked DE in country according to Rivals.com) committed to BYU.
Playing in his father’s memory, Kai led Liberty to an appearance in the Nevada State Championship. The Patriots lost in the Championship game but it was a huge moment for the school. It was their first Championship Game appearance. The Patriots started playing football in 2003.
At a Nike Sparq Combine, Nacua had the fastest 20-yard shuttle time of all Quarterbacks, 4.09 seconds. Kid has a lot of athleticism, which is always welcome in Provo.
Most of these highlights on Nacua are his highlights as a QB for Liberty. But watching the tape, the kid has nimble feet and he has good football instincts. Has a knack for making plays. Success as a Linebacker is having football instincts, and this kid appears to have that.
Expectations in 2013: Redshirt
Nacua has a lot of talent of raw talent and athleticism. The problem is that he is at a position that is stacked for BYU at the moment. Nacua needs to bulk up and get familiar with a Division I workout regime. And who better to learn from then guys like Kyle Van Noy and Spencer Hadley? Nacua has plans to serve a mission after his first year at BYU is complete.
Potential in BYU Career: Low expectations for now
Right now Nacua doesn’t have the build to be a D-1 Linebacker right now. Current BYU Junior LB, Alani Fua is a prime example of this. Fua arrived at BYU as part of the heralded 2010 class as a thin, lanky linebacker. It’s taken Fua three years to bulk up and get a chance to crack the two-deep in BYU’s LB unit. It will take Nacua time. But he has the athleticism to be a solid contributor for BYU, and cause havoc for opposing offensive backfields.