How Teamworks Intelligence Helped Spot an NFL Star Before the Hype

Rising NFL star Puka Nacua’s journey from NFL Draft afterthought to record-breaking rookie sensation is illustrative of the benefits college football programs will gain from Teamworks Intelligence.

When Nacua entered the NFL Draft in 2023, traditional metrics told a clear story: 4.57 forty (46th percentile) and agility drills in the bottom 13th percentile. Those numbers screamed “day three draft pick” to evaluators.

But our team at Teamworks Intelligence saw something different. Something that mattered more.

Our Game Speed metrics, which measure Puka’s speed and acceleration, put him at a 4.35s 40-yard equivalent. Our “Change of Direction” (CoD) metric placed Nacua in the 93rd percentile. These metrics put him alongside first-round talents like Zay Flowers and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Rams took him in the fifth round, and he shattered rookie receiving records. Advanced analytics identified what traditional methods missed.

What Does Teamworks Intelligence Measure That Others Aren’t

So what are we measuring that others aren’t? Nacua’s movement skill in actual games. The three-cone drill measures CoD in a controlled, standardized environment. But football isn’t played in a controlled environment. It’s played at full speed with varying routes, breaks, and situations that can’t be approximated by athletes in shorts and a t-shirt.

Our Change of Direction (CoD) metric tracks:

• The exact moment a player initiates directional change
• Speed and acceleration going into the break
• The apex of the change and how it evolves over time
• Speed and acceleration coming out of the break
• Distance covered

We calculate the “CoD deficit” – comparing actual time versus theoretical straight-line time – while factoring in initial speed, angle, and distance covered. Why does this matter? It reveals who can create separation and make defenders miss in game situations, not just who tests well.

What This Means In The College Football Transfer Portal Era

The transfer portal has fundamentally changed college roster management. When hundreds of players become available simultaneously, traditional evaluation methods can’t scale effectively.

Our technology provides the competitive edge. Our advanced metrics help teams identify overlooked talent while competitors rely on highlight reels, box score stats, and industry rankings. Our team has developed comprehensive metrics for every position – from offensive line movement efficiency to defensive back run support.

We’re delivering 40 years of analytics expertise to college football programs, minimizing recruitment misses and providing a first-mover advantage in talent identification.

Puka Nacua was a college transfer before he was a draft pick, record-setter and NFL Pro Bowler. The next program-changing player is out there. Our technology ensures you find them before rivals do.