5-Star Isaac Nauta Breaks Down His Finalists, Says He Knows Where He Will Commit

Isaac Nauta finally knows where he's going to play college football.

The country's top-ranked tight end recruit and No. 9 overall prospect reached a decision Wednesday night after weeks of weighing three finalists. Nauta will let everyone know those plans Saturday afternoon when he announces a commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

"I'm excited to get it off my chest," Nauta told Bleacher Report. "I'm ready to head to school and get this next chapter of my life started."

It's down to the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan Wolverines for the 6'3", 244-pound prospect. Head coaches Nick Saban, Kirby Smart and Jim Harbaugh will apparently wait until his in-game commitment just like the rest of us, as Nauta doesn't plan to contact any coaches until after the national television broadcast.

"The hardest part about it all is I felt comfortable with all three," he said. "I felt I could go to school at all three and be happy. It was really more of a soul-searching thing. Where do I want to be? What do I want to do after football? I broke it down into everything and it was definitely the hardest decision of my life."

Nauta, a senior at Florida powerhouse IMG Academy, also made official visits to the Ole Miss Rebels and Oklahoma State Cowboys during the season. He previously spent eight months committed to the Florida State Seminoles, a verbal pact that began shortly after his junior campaign and lasted until late July.

After years experiencing the peaks and valleys of a high-profile recruitment process, the 5-star prospect is ready to wrap things up Saturday.

"It's a huge mix of emotions. It can be stressful. It can be fun. It can be tiring. It can be annoying. But at the end of the day, you have to realize you have an opportunity that a ton of kids wish they could have," Nauta said.

He traveled to the campuses of all three finalists this fall, setting the stage for a difficult decision. 

The selling point for Alabama under Nick Saban has been simple and consistent for almost a decade—come to Tuscaloosa and win a national title. The Crimson Tide are now one victory away from finishing atop the college football world for a fourth time in seven seasons.

"They always compete for championships and win a lot of games. Alabama also does a great job developing guys for the NFL," Nauta said.

Georgia hopes to have him in Athens as part of an effort to challenge Alabama for SEC supremacy. New head coach Kirby Smart, a longtime Crimson Tide defensive coordinator, made Nauta an immediate priority.

He was long the focus of Mark Richt's regime. Nauta strongly considered Georgia before his initial pledge to Florida State and grew up in the Peach State, playing at Buford High School until last year.

"It's close to home and there's always a chance to win the SEC East with all the talent around the area," he said. "I have a good relationship with Kirby Smart."

The Bulldogs hope to bag several homegrown athletes during these final weeks before national signing day. A commitment from Nauta could represent a major shift in momentum that sends Georgia surging toward a top-five class in this recruiting cycle.

Credit: 247Sports

Smart and his staff secured a key recruiting victory last month by maintaining a commitment from 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason, who flirted with a possible flip to the Florida Gators following Richt's departure. Nauta has been impressed by his potential teammate throughout All-American action this week.

"I've seen Eason out here slinging it. He's playing really well in practice," Nauta said.

Michigan 4-star quarterback commit Brandon Peters is also in attendance. The Wolverines would love to pair him with Nauta in Ann Arbor for years to come.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is a proven fan of tight ends, evidenced by the production at the position during previous tenures with the Stanford Cardinal and San Francisco 49ers. Michigan tight end Jake Butt finished second on the Wolverines this season with 51 receptions, emerging as a potential top-tier NFL target in the 2017 draft.

"Coach Harbaugh's system is a true pro system that gets you prepared for the NFL. He uses the tight end very well," Nauta said.

He also noted the presence of multiple family members near Michigan, which could help create a comfortable situation that far from home.

Georgia is considered a strong favorite entering Saturday's announcement ceremony. The Bulldogs claim 84 percent of experts' commitment predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball.

Whichever school ultimately secures Nauta's pledge, the wait for his arrival will be brief. He plans to enroll early this month, providing him with a jump-start toward an immediate role next fall.

"I want to get with coaches every day and learn the offense so by the time spring ball rolls around I'll be ready to go. I want to play right away as a freshman," Nauta said.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.