Nate Cleveland is a linebacker for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. A native of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Cleveland attended Hoffman Estates High School, where he recorded 81 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and one sack as a senior. He also broke up three passes, forced two fumbles, and recovered two fumbles in high school. Cleveland was rated as a consensus three-star prospect by recruiting services. In his 2025 freshman season, he competed in eight games, making his collegiate debut against Purdue and appearing against Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and New Mexico.