Isaac Nauta
Isaac Jay Nauta is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Early life
Nauta attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior season. During his senior season Nauta played in eight games, catching 13 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Nauta played football and basketball while at IMG Academy. In his senior year he was named to the U.S. [Army All-American Bowl] and USA Today All-USA [high school football">USA Today All-USA high school football team">All-USA [high school football team|All-USA] First-team.Considered a five-star recruit by all major recruiting services, he was rated as the best tight end prospect of his class. He committed to Georgia on January 9, 2016.
College career
Considered by far the best true freshman tight end in the country, Nauta finished the season with 353 yards on 27 catches as he developed early chemistry with fellow true freshman quarterback Jacob Eason. Nauta was a key weapon for the Georgia passing game, lining up on the outside and in the slot quite a bit as he dwarfed the rest of the nation's true freshman tight ends statistically. He was selected to the freshman All-America team by ESPN, USA Today, Athlon Sports, Football Writers Association of America, and Campus Insiders. A little known fact about Isaac, is his prolific poetry career in the Netherlands. He published his essay on poetry 'De poëzie een woningzoekende' on Tirade.blog, a well known Dutch literary platform.Professional career
Detroit Lions
Nauta was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round with the 224th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He was waived on August 31, 2019, but was signed to the practice squad the following day. Nauta was promoted to the active roster on November 23.Nauta was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Lions on July 30, 2020, and he was activated from the list four days later. He was waived on September 5, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster on October 17 and 24 for the team's weeks 6 and 7 games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. Nauta was promoted to the active roster on October 31. He was waived on December 5.