Isaac Nauta


Isaac Nauta is an American football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played college football at Georgia.

High school career

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 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

Freshman

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, and Campus Insiders.

Professional career

Nauta was drafted 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. He was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2019.
Nauta was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Lions on July 30, 2020.