2007 (Senior): Cleaver had a solid senior campaign with the Aggies,
playing in 11 games, missing two due to injury. On the season, he caught 33
passes for 388 yards, averaging 11.8 yards a catch. He finished his career with
99 catches for 1,298 yards the most in either category for a tight end in New
Mexico State history. Cleaver recorded three games with at least five receptions
against New Mexico (9/8), Hawai’i (10/27) and San Jose State (11/10). Also
against New Mexico he recorded a season-high in receiving yards with 62. He
caught at least one pass in 10 of the 11 games he played in.
2006 (Junior): Cleaver had a break out year for the Aggies in 2006,
playing in all 12 games. Cleaver was fourth on the team is receptions with 50
catches for 684 yards and four touchdowns. Cleaver also recorded 684 all-purpose
yards and 24 points on the season. He ranked 82nd over in the nation in
receptions per game and eighth among tight ends. Cleaver also ranked 84th in the
nation in receiving yards per game and fifth in the nation among tight ends. He
averaged 13.7 yards per reception and 57 yards per game. Cleaver tallied nine
games with at least four receptions. Against New Mexico (9/9) he caught four
passes for 99 yards and a career-high two touchdowns, including a 60-yard bomb
from quarterback Chase Holbrook. It was also a career-high reception for
Cleaver. Versus Texas Southern (9/16) he caught five passes for 100 yards and a
touchdown. It was the second career 100-yard receiving game for Cleaver. Against
San Jose State (11/4) Cleaver caught a season-high seven passes for a
career-high 124 yards and a touchdown. In the Aggies’ season finale against
Louisiana Tech (12/2) he caught six passes for 93 yards. Cleaver broke the
school record for most catches by a tight end, breaking Todd Cutler’s record of
44 in 1991 against Louisiana Tech. Cleaver was also named to the 2006 ESPN The
Magazine First Team Academic All-District XI football team as well as an
Academic All-WAC selection.
2005 (Sophomore): Cleaver started
the 2005 season as a back-up safety for NMSU. He then made the jump to the
offensive side of the ball against Hawai’i where he caught a season high eight
passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Cleaver caught 16 passes
for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Cleaver also collected four receptions against
Nevada (11/12) for 30-yards. His second touchdown of the season came against San
Jose state (11/19) on a 1-yard reception from Joey Vincent in the fourth
quarter. He also collected his longest reception of the season, a 46 bomb from
Vincent. Cleaver also recorded four tackles on the season.
2004
(Redshirt Freshman): Cleaver played in nine games, recording a total of seven
tackles on the season, seeing playing time at the safety position and on special
teams. Cleaver had a season-high two tackles against UTEP
(10/2).
2003 (Freshman): Cleaver was a medical redshirt his
first year at NMSU.
