Georgia Football: Top 5 freshman and newcomers in 2016

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) intercepts a pass in front of Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom (18) during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) intercepts a pass in front of Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom (18) during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia football tight end Isaac Nauta (18) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia football tight end Isaac Nauta (18) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Isaac Nauta

Nauta is a monster. He is 6’4 tall and weighs 246 pounds, yet he’s very fast and agile. That is why he’s become one of Jacob Eason’s favorite targets. He ends the regular season with 27 catches for 353 yards and three touchdowns.

His breakthrough performance came in his five-catch game against Tennessee that saw him catch a pass over the middle, and outrun every Tennessee defender for a 50-yard touchdown.

Nauta came to Georgia as a 5-star tight end according to most recruiting sites. 5-star tight ends are very rare, most years there isn’t even one. Obviously this placed a lot of hype and expectations on Nauta. But he has lived up to that hype and then some.