Georgia lands commitment from five-star tight end Isaac Nauta

Isaac Nauta, the nation's top tight end announced he has committed to Georgia during the U.S. Army-American Bowl.

The nation’s top tight end revealed his college decision Saturday during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Isaac Nauta announced he has committed to Georgia. 

His decision comes less than a month after Nauta released on his Twitter account a list of top three schools: Alabama, Georgia and Michigan. He previously took official visits to five schools (Georgia, Michigan, Ole Miss, Alabama and Oklahoma State) and also visited Miami unofficially after the school hired Mark Richt as its new head coach.

Georgia is the second program to which Nauta has pledged. He initially committed to Florida State in December 2014, but continued to visit other schools and decided this July to reopen his recruitment. Nauta explained that he wanted “to make sure that I make the best possible decision for my future in becoming a man and developing as a student athlete.” 

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​ Nauta recorded 230 receiving yards and two touchdowns and also played defense for IMG this season after transferring from Buford (Ga.) High School. Scout.com describes the 6’4,’’ 237-pound Nauta as “more of an old-school tight end” who “can stay on the field all three downs” and commends him for being “very dependable and has physical and finesse game.” 

This week Nauta spoke with Scout.com about Georgia. He said the school is “really convenient for my family” and “just really appealing with the staff they brought in,” while noting that “Kirby Smart is untested as a head coach, but he’s been a winner ever since he’s been at Alabama, so that’s attractive to a recruit.”

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​ Nauta’s decision continues a strong run on the recruiting trail for Georgia since the school announced it has hired Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Smart as its next head coach. First, the Bulldogs convinced five-star quarterback Jacob Eason to stick to his commitment. And this week, four-star wide receiver Cavin Ridley pledged to Georgia.

Nauta, Eason and Ridley can upgrade an offense that this season ranked 70th nationally in Football Outsiders’ Offensive S&P+ rankings and ninth in the SEC in points per game. What’s more, Georgia will reinsert running back Nick Chubb—who suffered a significant knee injury in October but is expected to make a full recovery—into its lineup.

Chubb’s return and the influx of talent on the offensive side of the ball—Georgia is also adding four-star offensive lineman Ben Cleveland, four-star wide receiver Javon Wims, four-star athlete Charlie Woerner, four-star running back Elijah Holyfield—will ease offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s transition from Pittsburgh to the Bulldogs.

If last season Georgia’s offense was defined by its ineptitude in high-profile games—38-10 loss to Alabama on Oct. 3 as well as a 27-3 loss to Florida on Oct. 31—Bulldogs fans can at least be optimistic about the addition of talented recruits on that side of the ball, as well as the return of its best offensive player in Chubb.