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Nauta Deciding Tonight, Announcing Saturday

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star tight end Isaac Nauta is nearing a decision on where he'll play his college football. After practice No. 2 for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the 6-4, 235-pounder explained his approach as he closes in on the end of his recruitment.

"I'm going to be deciding tonight," Nauta said. "I'm going to announce it January 9, during the game, during the fourth quarter.

"I still don’t know which school I'm picking for sure. It’s really going to be where I feel the most comfortable. That’s what I’m going to go with."

Nauta is still considering Michigan as his decision approaches.
Nauta is still considering Michigan as his decision approaches.

One school that Nauta has been comfortable with is Michigan. Nauta's mother is originally from The Great Lakes State and he has family ties to the staff at U-M. Current defensive line coach Greg Mattison coached Nauta's uncle at Western Michigan and has remained close with the family. That connection, as well as a pair of Harbaugh's, has kept the Maize and Blue in the picture throughout Nauta's recruitment.

"That whole staff is great," Nauta said. "I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys. Jay Harbaugh is young so I can cut up with him but at the same time he takes his job very seriuously.

"Obviously, Jim Harbaugh is a great coach. What he’s done with tight ends – it would be stupid for me to ignore that school. They’ve definitely been one of my top schools for a while now."

Nauta took his official to Michigan for the game against Michigan State and while the Wolverines fell short that day, they did not fall short in 2015 according to the top tight end in the country.

"I obviously got to watch one live with my official visit," he said. "I pretty much watched them every week so I paid close attention to how they did this year."

Most people expect Nauta to choose Georgia on Saturday, but Michigan is hanging in there. The No. 18 overall prospect and No. 5 player in Florida is going to make one fan base very happy this weekend.

"Michigan is still in it for me," he said. "I’m going to make up my mind tonight and they’re definitely up there for me."

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