Missouri State

A three-year starter with a nose for the football, Canavan will likely hold down the Will linebacker post this fall ... Had 4 tackles and a sack in the Maroon and White Game (4/20/13).

2012: Earned 8 starts and saw action in all 11 contests as a junior ... Finished fifth on the squad in total tackles (65) and was third on the team in assisted tackles (51) ... Averaged 8.3 tackles per game over the last four contests, all starts ... Brought down double-figure ball carriers in back-to-back weeks with 10 in a win at No. 11 Illinois State (10/20/12) and 13 at home against Western Illinois (10/27/12) ... His 4 solo tackles against Western Illinois was a season high ... Had half-sacks against WIU and No. 1 North Dakota State (11/3/12) ... Also had 8 total stops against the top-ranked Bison ... Credited with a pair of quarterback hurries in home opener against Murray State (9/15/12).

2011: Started 9 of 11 games ... Finished fifth on the squad in total tackles with 53, including 21 solo stops ... Produced season-high 9 tackles against Illinois State (10/8/11) ... Brought down 7 ball carriers at Southern Illinois (9/24/11) with 5 solo stops and a sack ... Also contributed 7 tackles at No. 4 North Dakota State (10/15/11) and against South Dakota State on homecoming (10/29/11) ... Had 5 solo stops in win at Western Illinois (10/22/11) ... Recovered a key fumble at No. 15 Arkansas (9/3/11) in season opener.

2010: Was the only MSU player to earn MVFC All-Newcomer Team laurels ... Pushed into duty in Week 4 to pull his redshirt ... Made an immediate impact with an interception in his debut game against No. 20 Youngstown State (10/2/10) ... Started 6 of the next 7 contests, finishing the year with 50 total tackles in 8 games to tie for fourth on the team ... Had season-high 9 tackles at Murray State (10/9/10), including 6 solos, and scored a touchdown on a blocked punt ... Also had 6 solo tackles at No. 16 Northern Iowa (11/13/10) to earn MSU Defensive Player of the Week honors ... Also tabbed for Defensive Player of the Week honors after accumulating 8 tackles at Indiana State (10/16/10).

High School: Was a two-time Oklahoma all-state pick for Coach Lance Manning at Norman Northside High ... His three varsity seasons netted 353 tackles, 8 sacks and 2 interceptions ... Two time all-district and all-conference honoree for the Timberwolves.

Personal: Nicholas Richard Canavan was born 6/26/91 in Orlando, Fla. ... Son of Richard and Karen Canavan of Norman, Okla. ... Has a sister, Kaitlyn ... Majoring in Accounting.