Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Kai Nacua (12) returns an interception in Phoenix on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. BYU leads 9-0 at half. BYU won 18-16. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
BYU has two former players in the UFL during this 2024 inaugural season. These players are already making an impact just like they did for the Cougars. The two former players spent time together at BYU while suiting up on both sides of the ball for the Cougars.
Tomasi Laulile Arlington Renegades
Laulile started his career at BYU in 2013 where he sat out due to a medical redshirt year. During his second year in 2014, he played in all 13 games and had eight tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, and three quarterback hits. In 2015 he played in 12 games and had 26 tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery, and one quarterback hit. In his last season at BYU he played in just eight games and had 13 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and two sacks.
Tomasi Laulile has played for three NFL teams since 2018 when he started with the Colts. He has since spent time with the Saints and most recently the 49ers. These have all been short stints and now he has found his home in the UFL.
He played last season for the Renegades and this season he will also play for them this spring. Laulile has played in 10 games and had nine tackles and one interception with one touchdown. He plays at defensive tackle and is 6-3 and 300lbs.
Kai Nacua Michigan Panthers
Nacua also started his career in 2013 for the Cougars where he played in eight games where he had three sacks and two pass breakups. His next season he played in all 13 games and had 36 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups at BYU. During the 2015 season, he played in 12 games and had 66 tackles, six interceptions, two touchdowns, two quarterback hits, and six pass breakups. In his final season, he played in all 13 games and had 48 tackles, six interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups.
Kai Nacua has spent time with three teams as well and has seen some good action with all three teams. He has spent time with the Browns, the 49ers, the Jets, and then another round with the 49ers. Nacua has played in 25 games with 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit.
He is having his turn at the UFL to keep his career going and like his brother he is doing great so far. This past weekend he had a team-high 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack against former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. If he keeps this up he will be back in the NFL and there will be another Nacua causing havoc in the league.
