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.
High School: Nick was a two-year starter at both wide receiver and safety at Clairemont High School in San Diego. He was a first team All-Harbor League pick as a senior. In his senior year, Nick had 110 tackles, five for loss, three interceptions, nine pass breakups, three blocked punts and 15 pass receptions for 375 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a member of the 4.0 honor roll, was named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team and was named a San Diego Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete.
Personal: Nick was born in San Diego, Calif. and is the son of Burt and Nancy Cleaver. Nick is majoring in General Business.
