NEVADA
Is expected to be a leader in the linebacking corps and compete for a starting position at the middle linebacker spot.

2008: Juco-transfer emerged immediately during his first year in the program … Played in first seven games with three starts … Suffered a foot injury against Utah State and missed the bulk of the rest of the season … Returned to play in the bowl game … Recorded 29 tackles on the year, including 4.5 tackles for a loss and one sack … Notched a career-high six tackles against UNLV and again against New Mexico State.

JUNIOR COLLEGE
Was a second-team Junior College Grid-Wire All-American at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif. … Named to first-team All-Mission Conference Team and first-team All-State squad … Played two years at Palomar for coach Joe Early … Led the team with 70 tackles, including 10 for a loss.

HIGH SCHOOL
A graduate of La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif. … Was a two-year letterman … Named a first-team All-CIF San Diego Section selection in 2005.

PERSONAL
Born Michael James Bethea on April 21, 1988 in Encinitas, Calif. … Son of Pete and Colleen Bethea … Has two brothers, Peter and Danny, and a sister, Mary … Is majoring in education and wants to go into coaching … Father played baseball at Grand Canyon University … Sports hero is LaDainian Tomlinson … Enjoys playing basketball and working out in his free time.