Coming off a legendary high school career at Canadian, it’s been a patient road for Camren Cavalier at Harding University, but one that is starting to pay off.
The 2023 Press Pass Sports Football Player of the Year is in his third year with a powerful Bison program where he’s rising the ranks at the quarterback position. His freshman season, Cavalier found himself sitting fourth string and was down the depth chart finding minimal game action in year two. However, this season, as the backup to starter quarterback Malik Young, Cavalier has seen significant playing time and even came off the bench to lead No. 2-ranked Harding (5-0) to a thrilling 28-27 win against rival Ouachita Baptist on Sept. 26.
“I’m loving my time at Harding,” Cavalier said. “This is program with a top culture and the guys guys I’ve ever been around. This coaching staff is full of great men and I’ve been fortunate to be here. It’s just special. Everyone wants you to succeed here. It’s always hard when you leave a program like Canadian that has so many wins and you were a part of that. But, I was fortunate to find that at harding and I’ve loved every minute of being here.”
Cavalier’s family has one of the most prestigious names in high school football as well as across the state.
The redshirt sophomore has carried that name proudly since his playing days at Canadian. Cavalier was incredible as a three-year starter for the Wildcats and one of the best to ever do it, leading Canadian to back-to-back UIL Class 3A state semifinal appearances. He was 35-8 as the Wildcats quarterback. His senior season the dual-threat QB set a state record with 83 total touchdowns and finished his career with 13,245 career yards on top of 180 touchdowns.
“I love seeing Camren being successful at the college level,” said Camren’s father, and Canadian head football coach, Andy Cavalier. “There are so many great football players at that level. He almost played every play of every down in high school, especially at quarterback. Over the last three years at Harding, he’s had the opportunity to get a back up role to learn and watch. I’m just proud to see how he has interacted with the program and interact as a teammate.”
Cavalier played in two games as a freshman at Harding and entered seven games in 2025. This season, Cavalier has already played in four games where he has shown his full blown potential rushing the ball 34 times for 222 yards with three touchdowns. He’s also thrown for 124 yards with two more scores. In that wild win against Ouachita Baptist on the road, Cavalier entered for the injured Young, and was superb leading two fourth quarter touchdown drives and ended his night piling up 50 yards on the ground.
“It’s been awesome to see the field this season and play the game I love,” Cavalier said. “I love the guys around and Malik (Young) and I have a great relationship. I always cheer him on and he cheers me on. He helped prepare me for playing like the guys before me. I’ve put on weight, I’m faster because I know I can’t just run through anyone. It’s been an adjustment to a new offense and running the option but I’m getting it all down. I was lucky to have a dad as a coach and that makes me understand what I’m doing and I just want to get better to help my team.”
Cavalier has even earned the trust from Harding football coach Roddy Mote.
“Camren came into that Ouachita game in the second quarter and did what he needed to do,” Mote said. “That’s because his preperation is next level. Camren has grown so much in his time here. He’s grown physically and you can tell he’s a coaches kid. He’s very sharp and is great at building relationships. It’s not often you don’t see him in one of the coaches offices watching film or talking football. He values his teammates, he’s asserted himself to being a great player and teammate and he’s matured in a lot of ways. Camren has tremendous skills and he knows exactly who he is.”
In a day and age where the transfer portal is very popular, not once has making that moved crossed Cavalier’s mind. Cavalier’s goal is learning from his team and earning his shot.
“Stay here is the best thing for me,” Cavalier said. “This place is a brotherhood and I love this program like I’ve said. You don’t see a lot of guys leave here. We’re all in it to win a national championship and that’s my goal here.”
