Georgia Football: Isaac Nauta is Bulldogs’ secret star

Georgia football has a secret weapon. The Bulldogs need an offensive revolution in 2017 and Isaac Nauta will be critical in their success.

The Bulldogs did not have a high volume passing offense last season. Honestly, they barely had much of an offense at all. Georgia finished the year as the 11th scoring offense in the SEC, averaging 24.5 points per game.

Isaiah McKenzie, now in the NFL, led the Bulldogs in all tradition receiving categories: receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He didn’t crack the top 15 in the conference in the first two metrics and finished tied for ninth in touchdowns.

Eason has a cannon arm, so it’s not like he can’t hit receivers further down the field. However, his downfield accuracy needs some work. He finished 11th in the SEC in yards per attempt and seventh in completion percentage. He’s going to be a better passer as he matures. Eason has NFL potential, he’s just not there yet.

Where does Nauta fit in?

A young quarterback needs a safety net. Someone that he can check down to when plays break down. A tight end, especially one as talented as Nauta, could be Eason’s go-to pass catcher. We’ve already learned that Nauta can catch passes on a jetski, could he become the Bulldogs’ leading receiver in 2017?

Nauta finished third on the team in receptions (29), receiving yards (361) and receiving touchdowns. 18 of those receptions went for a first down. That’s the kind of consistency that makes a quarterback want to keep getting you the football. Nauta is as reliable as they come, and even has a bit of a surprising burst for a 6-foot-4, 246 pound guy. His longest reception a year ago went for 50 yards and he had four receptions for 20+ yards.

Next: Ranking the top 50 players in college football in 2017

His production was modest in 2016. It’s going to be off the charts in 2017. Jacob Eason is in need of a new favorite target. Issac Nauta is the answer.