*Isaac Nauta – Noteworthy
Isaac Nauta characterized his family upbringing as “very well to do,” for much of his childhood. His father, Jay, had sold one company and was building up a mortgage business in 2008. That was the year of the financial crisis. “The market crashed,” said Nauta, who was 11 years old at the time. “We pretty much lost everything and went from having everything to having nothing.” Nauta still had his family to lean on and at that difficult time, they turned to a food bank through their church where they were living in Jacksonville, Fla., for assistance. “I wouldn’t change it for a thing,” Nauta said. “It’s made me who I am today.” Nauta today is a couple of months away from seeing his NFL dreams turn into reality. A big step on that journey for the former Georgia tight end comes this week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Nauta, projected to be taken as early as the second round in April’s draft, will take part in on-field workouts on Saturday before scouts, general managers and coaches. “Now, it’s a chance for me to give back,” said Nauta, who declared for the draft after his junior season. Nauta’s personal story is the launching point for a campaign where fans can pledge to donate for every bench press rep he records. Nauta has set a fundraising target of $10,000. The campaign has raised an estimated $5,460 so far based on a goal of 15 bench presses of 225 pounds each. He’s hoping to get into the 20s. “I know there are people in that position now and rely on the food bank,” Nauta said. “It’s something that helped us out during a tough time and it’s an opportunity to help raise money to hopefully help out some families in need.” – Athens Daily Banner
Jake Fromm – Noteworthy
Georgia’s fourth spring under football coach Kirby Smart will begin March 19, the school announced Wednesday. The Bulldogs will have two new coordinators for the NCAA’s 15 allotted workouts, with former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney now serving in the same role at Tennessee and with former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker now the new head coach at Colorado. Each had worked under Smart the past three years, with Smart choosing to replace them by promoting quarterbacks coach James Coley and outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning. Georgia is coming off an 11-3 season that ended with a heartbreaking loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game and a disappointing defeat to Texas in the Sugar Bowl. – Chattanooga Times Free Press