When talking to
Isaac Nauta Sunday afternoon, he had to say the word "surprised" at least 10 times.
Michigan surprised him and the Wolverines made a move for the No. 1-ranked tight end in the country.
After Nauta decommitted from Florida State over the summer, he named TCU as his top school, with Georgia right there near the top as well. His first official visit went to Georgia a couple of weeks ago with TCU set to have the last one in late November.
Michigan got him on campus this weekend and he was accompanied by his aunt and two cousins who live in Grand Rapids (Mich.). He left feeling very good about the program Jim Harbaugh is now leading.
"I was surprised, very surprised by how much I liked it at Michigan," Nauta said. "It was just a great experience up there.
"This visit opened my eyes, Michigan moved up my list, and everything was great there. The football program is going in the right direction and a Michigan degree carries a lot of weight.
"I mean, if I get a degree from there, I will be set for life. There are so many successful alumni all over the country and I learned a lot this weekend. And it all was good."
Isaac Nauta
IMG AcademyBradenton, FL
6'4" / 237 lbs / 4.9s
Verified
- TE Rank1
- FL TE Rank1
- South TE Rank1
- Offers13
26
Analysis
Nauta is more of an old-school tight end. A tight end who can stay on the field all three downs. Blocking is something he does well. He can look like an extended offensive lineman at times. Very strong and could drive blocking. Has very good hands. Big tight end, but really soft hands that receives the ball well. Can be a real weapon inside the red zone and will be a go-to guy on third downs. Very dependable and has physical and finesse game.
Close
The academic side of things really caught Nauta's attention. He is a very detailed young man, he is set to graduate from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy in December, so academics mean a lot to him, and when he saw first-hand what Michigan had to offer outside of football, he was blown away.
He saw the support staff, he learned about the opportunities a Michigan degress presents when football ends, and outside of that, he saw arguably the best game of the weekend in college football.
"The atmosphere was crazy at the game. It was great a great football game. Michigan did not win, but the game itself was outstanding.
"Then you have 112,000 people inside the stadium, then probably that same amount outside the stadium. The environment was great and the college town was awesome there.
"I knew it was going to be a good experience, but it was a great one."
Jake Butt is the starting tight end for Jim Harbaugh and he was Nauta's host over the weekend. The two communicated a good bit and a few things Butt said to Nauta really stood out.
"Jake was just telling me how he is living the dream right now playing for Harbaugh and how it could be me next," said Nauta. "He told me that there are so many opportunties to make plays in Harbaugh's offense. He told me playing that position for him is second to none. He had a lot of great things to say."
At the end, Harbaugh had a message for Nauta. It was not that he wanted him in maize and blue or needed him in Ann Arbor, it was both.
"Coach Harbaugh told me and showed me that there is a both, a need for me, and a want for me at Michigan. We looked at film, we had a talk, and I saw a lot. at the end of the visit, I was just surprised more than anything else.
"I just did not expect it to be that way. My mind about Michigan has definitely been changed."
Nauta plans to announce his decision January 9 at the Army All-American Bowl. He has now taken official visits to Georgia and Michigan. Alabama, Ole Miss, and TCU visits remain for the 6-foot-4, 240 pound Scout 100 prospect.
.People keep harping on that deep ball miss but later in the game Chesson drops ball right in his hands that would've been a huge 1st down
.I look at this way Rudock despite his shortcomings had us in position to win that game just sucks our most improved aspect special teams blew it
.
yall sound like lions fans
.9-2 going into the OSU game is a vast improvement over where we were last year.Team has a bye week to get over this we'll be fine
Steve Lorenz @TremendousUM 
instant impact player