Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
"Big Chief" Is All Bulldog
August 15, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Gabe Cavazos Jr. has been affectionately known as "Big Chief" since he was a ninth grader at Lake Cormorant High School.
Cavazos embraced the nickname right from the start and is now proud to represent both his Native American and Hispanic heritage as a freshman offensive lineman at Mississippi State.
"I take a lot of pride in that because my family is so happy for me," Cavazos said. "I just want to keep that going."
Cavazos is a descendant of the Sioux Tribe but is unsure of what percentage of Native American genes makeup his background. One thing the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder is certain of is that he chose the right college to attend during the recruiting process.
Cavazos was rated the No. 18 prospect in Mississippi by Rivals.com and drew several other scholarship offers but elected to remain in the Magnolia State after visiting MSU with his parents and sister last August.
"I'm from Mississippi so there's that," Cavazos said. "It isn't too close to home and it isn't too far either so that's why I chose it."
The no-nonsense and workmanlike approach of MSU offensive line coach Mason Miller is also something that appealed to Cavazos.
"He's straight to business once you start talking to him and I like that," Cavazos said.
Cavazos played left tackle and even some H-back for Lake Cormorant and helped the Gators go 7-3 and reach the Class 5A State Playoffs as a senior last year. He was selected to participate in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and was also an early high school graduate.
"He's probably one of the toughest kids I've ever coached in my career," said New Hope offensive coordinator Cameron Olsen, who was Lake Cormorant's offensive line coach last year. "He can lay hits and take hits. To this day, I've never seen a kid as big as him be as athletic as he is. He could throw better than some of our quarterbacks and punted better than our punter. His toughness and intensity when he gets on the field is unlike any player I've ever coached."
Cavazos is currently going through his first training camp with the Bulldogs and is quickly learning it is going to take more than just sheer size to succeed at this level.
"In high school you could just go run through somebody," Cavazos said. "In college it's all about technique, hands and power mixed.
"It's a lot faster than high school but so far everything is going pretty good. Everything happens a lot faster on the field and everywhere. It's kind of hard adjusting but I'll get through it."
Cavazos embraced the nickname right from the start and is now proud to represent both his Native American and Hispanic heritage as a freshman offensive lineman at Mississippi State.
"I take a lot of pride in that because my family is so happy for me," Cavazos said. "I just want to keep that going."
Cavazos is a descendant of the Sioux Tribe but is unsure of what percentage of Native American genes makeup his background. One thing the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder is certain of is that he chose the right college to attend during the recruiting process.
Cavazos was rated the No. 18 prospect in Mississippi by Rivals.com and drew several other scholarship offers but elected to remain in the Magnolia State after visiting MSU with his parents and sister last August.
"I'm from Mississippi so there's that," Cavazos said. "It isn't too close to home and it isn't too far either so that's why I chose it."
The no-nonsense and workmanlike approach of MSU offensive line coach Mason Miller is also something that appealed to Cavazos.
"He's straight to business once you start talking to him and I like that," Cavazos said.
Cavazos played left tackle and even some H-back for Lake Cormorant and helped the Gators go 7-3 and reach the Class 5A State Playoffs as a senior last year. He was selected to participate in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and was also an early high school graduate.
"He's probably one of the toughest kids I've ever coached in my career," said New Hope offensive coordinator Cameron Olsen, who was Lake Cormorant's offensive line coach last year. "He can lay hits and take hits. To this day, I've never seen a kid as big as him be as athletic as he is. He could throw better than some of our quarterbacks and punted better than our punter. His toughness and intensity when he gets on the field is unlike any player I've ever coached."
Cavazos is currently going through his first training camp with the Bulldogs and is quickly learning it is going to take more than just sheer size to succeed at this level.
"In high school you could just go run through somebody," Cavazos said. "In college it's all about technique, hands and power mixed.
"It's a lot faster than high school but so far everything is going pretty good. Everything happens a lot faster on the field and everywhere. It's kind of hard adjusting but I'll get through it."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballFOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Thursday, April 16
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kamario Taylor
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kelley Jones
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Saturday, April 11