As the old adage goes, iron sharpens iron and for Puka Nacua, he’s being sharpened by All-Pro corner Tre’Davious White. White, a representative of LSU’s fierce reputation as “DBU,” came to Los Angeles after seven years with the Bills.
Over that time, White has earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while leading the NFL in interceptions in 2019. White has everything a corner needs to be successful. His cerebral approach to the game and his feared athleticism allow him to be a shutdown corner when healthy.
When asked about White and if he’s given the team any teachable moments, Nacua had this to say.
“He’s really smart. Pre-snap stuff, he understands. He understands the motions, wherever we’re going, alignment, and things like that,” Nacua said. “So, he’s super aware of it. Depending on where we’re lined up, he knows he can eliminate certain routes, so it’s been fun. Because there are things that I feel… I know my strengths and they don’t really work against him because he’s thinking [about] the mental game before I ever get to be a physical player with him. So, it’s been super fun because now I get to work on some of the different tools that me and Coop are working on.”
If Nacua expects to surpass his rookie year production, being a student of the game must be his No. 1 priority in training camp. With a player like White to compete with and learn from, Nacua may already be ahead of the curve.