Cleveland in Houston

You might remember James Cleveland.

He enrolled early at Iowa from Baytown (Texas) Lee High School, same high school as then-Iowa QB Drew Tate. He then caught 36 passes for 464 yards his freshman year. Earned many kudos from coach Kirk Ferentz for his blocking and toughness.

Then, on Feb. 23, 2008, police found 21 units of oxycodone and 24 doses of carisoprodol in Cleveland's dorm room desk, according to police reports. Cleveland admitted the pills -- for which a label or prescription was not found -- were his.

He eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs in Johnson County District Court. 

He was fined $980, received probation and a deferred judgment. Cleveland initially was charged with failure to affix a tax stamp, a Class D felony, a charge ultimately not filed by prosecutors.

Apparently, Cleveland has cleaned up his act.

After some time at Trinity Valley Community College, 23 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns, he's now a Houston Cougar and, according to this report, impressing his coaches.

Houston coach Kevin Sumlin said, "For a guy who's been here a week, you can tell he's a veteran guy. . . . He's a tough guy because every ball he caught was in the teeth of the defense. Strong hands. A run-after-the-catch guy. He's definitely what we brought him here for. He's a physical guy and a mature guy who brings a different attitude to the perimeter than our little sprinters."

This is closer to home for Cleveland, so in that way it's a better fit. This is the season of second chances.

Link courtesy of The Wiz of Odds.