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