Ram Digest

'Who Is This Guy?!' Maxx Crosby Reveals First Impressions of Los Angeles Rams Star Puka Nacua

Even in training camp, Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua was turning heads.

Matt Galatzan

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua took the NFL by storm this past season, setting single-season rookie records by catching 105 balls for 1,486 yards. He also added six touchdowns to his resume.

Not only that, but he excelled in the playoffs as well, hauling in nine of 10 targets for 181 yards and a score in the Rams heartbreaking loss to the Lions at Ford Field.

While many were surprised by the fifth-round pick's explosive season, Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby saw it coming from a mile away during their joint practices at training camp off-season.

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

“When we had the joint practices with you guys, we’re doing our scouting of you guys and breaking it down,” Crosby said on his Podcast, via Raiders Today. “Cooper Kupp, I think he was hurt... and they have this receiver, this rookie fifth-round pick,’ and they had a picture of you. You had slicked-back hair and a big smile. I’m like, ‘Who the f--- is this guy?’

“We didn’t know who you were, but (was like, ‘Nah, Sean McVay said this kid has been killing it in training camp,’ and you and [Matthew] Stafford had a great connection. That was early on. Obviously, people got to see it all during your rookie season.”

While the Raiders and Rams did not face off in 2023, Crosby and the Las Vegas defense will get the full Puka experience next season, with the two teams set to face off at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

And while the Raiders defensive line will do their best to get after QB Matthew Stafford that day in order to keep the ball away from Nacua, that will be easier said than done with the Rams new additions along the offensive line.

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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