Five-star on board
SAN ANTONIO - Isaac Nauta's path has been one filled with twists and turns, but, today, all roads lead to Athens, as the nation's No. 18 player announced his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs during the Army All-American Bowl.
"I am going to Georgia" Nauta told UGASports.
After picking the Bulldogs over the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines, Nauta will have to make haste. As an early enrollee, he starts classes on Monday.
Originally from Buford, Georgia, Nauta pledged his initial word to the Florida State Seminoles during his junior season.
That lasted until the summer of 2015, when the top tight end opted to open his process back up, shortly before enrolling at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
"Really, going down to IMG was the thing that made me realize how important it is to be home," Nauta said. "Coming up, it's going to be something really special at Georgia."
Georgia has long been thought to be the landing spot, due to proximity to home and his family, but coaching upheaval in Athens gave cause for concern.
Luckily for the Bulldogs, Kirby Smart is far from an unknown commodity to Nauta. The new head coach recruited the five-star pass catcher since day one of his high school career.
"Those guys are all good guys, I like them," Nauta said of the new Georgia staff on Monday. "I've known Kirby since my first spring practice in high school, so overall I'm familiar with him and excited for him."
Smart has recruited the entire Nauta family since his hiring, as well.
"It means a lot because he's trying to get in and get the guys that he wants," Nauta said. "For him to reach out to me it shows a lot about how bad he wants me. It means a lot to my family, too, reaching out to them. That means a lot."
As for what the new head coach sees for his newest commit, Smart has made it clear.
"He wants me to blow the doors off the thing," Nauta said. "He says my only problem will be getting too many balls. To be a tight end and hear that is pretty exciting."
Stay tuned for more to come.
