Isaac Nauta.
There’s no denying the star rating system for recruiting is imperfect.
Every year, a prospect who was a lowly two-star goes in the first round of the NFL draft (such as Rochester Hills Stoney Creek’s Eric Fisher, who went No. 1 overall in 2013), and there have been countless five-star prospects over the years who haven’t panned out. Still, there’s also no denying that five-star players, on aggregate, end up having stronger college careers than lower-ranked players.
That’s why Michigan’s list of official visitors this season has been impressive.
Since the home opener against Oregon State (when Rivals100 four-star defensive back Jared Mayden was the highest-ranked player on an official visit), the Wolverines have hosted at least one five-star prospect at each home game. California linebacker Caleb Kelly saw U-M beat UNLV on Sept. 19, New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary was at the Big House for the win over BYU a week later and, last week, another New Jersey five-star – Ohio State running back commitment Kareem Walker – also made his way to Michigan Stadium.
The trend will continue this weekend, with Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy tight end Isaac Nauta making the trip.
Recruiting: Full coverage
“Michigan has also been recruiting me really hard and they use their tight ends,” Nauta said. “Jake Butt had like nine catches (against Utah). That’s what I like to see, and I just want to see them put together a good season.”
The Wolverines hold a 5-1 record, including shutouts in three consecutive games. Nauta, the top tight end and No. 18 overall prospect the nation, will watch U-M play rival Michigan State on Saturday.
Nauta has connections to Michigan – much of his family hails from southwest Michigan, and he has an uncle, Joel Smeenge, an ex-NFLer who played for defensive line coach Greg Mattison during the veteran assistant’s stint at Western Michigan in 1986.
U-M has one tight end committed in the 2016 class – Massachusetts two-star Sean McKeon – and will hold out on landing another unless it’s a prospect they’re very high on. The 6-4, 235-pound Nauta certainly fits that bill.
Tim Sullivan is the Football Recruiting Editor of The Wolverine magazine and TheWolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the Rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @TimS_Wolverine.
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