Puka Nacua’s Shadow Looms Large Over BYU’s Latest Recruiting Win Against Ohio State and Oregon

BYU just pulled off the kind of recruiting win that makes the rest of the Big 12 pay attention. Four-star wide receiver Blake Wong committed to the Cougars on Saturday, choosing them over Ohio State, Oregon and in-state rival Utah. And the sales pitch? It involved a former BYU star you’ve probably heard of.

Wong, a 6-foot-2 prospect out of Utah, had been trending toward Oregon according to On3, Rivals and 247Sports. But BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and his staff closed hard. Their biggest weapon in the recruitment? Puka Nacua.

“They said they wanted to use me the same way they used Puka going from slot to wide out and work all around,” Wong told Adam Gorney of On3/Rivals. “I even go in the backfield and move me around every single spot.”

That’s a pretty direct comparison. Nacua went from a productive college receiver to a legitimate star in Sean McVay’s offense with the Rams. And BYU’s pitch to Wong was essentially: We’ll do that with you.

Why This Matters for BYU’s Big 12 Ambitions

The Cougars have been on a run since joining the Big 12. After a rough 5-7 debut in 2023, they went 11-2 last season and 15-3 in conference play over the last two years. But here’s the thing. Texas Tech embarrassed them twice last season, including a loss that essentially knocked BYU out of Big 12 title contention. The Cougars ended up in the Pop Tarts Bowl instead of playing for a championship.

Wong is exactly the kind of talent that could change that dynamic. He’s a versatile receiver who can line up all over the field. And BYU’s track record with developing wideouts — especially one now thriving in the NFL — gives them a real selling point against programs with more traditional recruiting firepower.

The Cougars have won 23 games combined over the past two seasons. That’s not a fluke. But winning the Big 12 and making the College Football Playoff requires beating teams like Texas Tech head-to-head, not just winning the games you’re supposed to. Recruits like Wong are how you close that gap.

He’ll have plenty of eyes on him from here on out. The Nacua comparisons aren’t going anywhere.