Diego Pavia age: How old is Vanderbilt football's standout quarterback?
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia will play his final collegiate game when the Commodores face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.
Pavia, the Heisman Trophy runner-up this season, has had a long-winding road to this moment. The sixth-year senior started his career at New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to New Mexico State and then Vanderbilt, where he turned into one of the program’s all-time players.
Pavia passed for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions this season, also rushing for 826 yards and nine scores. He led Vandy to its first-ever 10-win season in program history in 2025, a year after he led Vanderbilt to a win vs. Alabama, its first-ever victory over a No. 1 team (via the AP Top 25).
The 6-foot signal caller is looking to go out on top as he hopes to close out his career with a win against the Hawkeyes and their tough defense. Next is carving out a path in the NFL, which many Vanderbilt fans likely thought was out of the cards when he joined the program two years ago.
Here’s what to know of Pavia, an instant legend at Vanderbilt.
Diego Pavia age
Pavia is 23 years old, as he was born on Feb. 16, 2002. He will be 24 years old for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held from April 24-26.
Pavia is in his sixth season of college football, with his first year coming at New Mexico Military Institute in 2020. He transferred to New Mexico State in 2022 before transferring to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season.
Diego Pavia NFL draft stock
It’s unclear how NFL teams view Pavia as a prospect, although he’s likely to be a late-round pick, if he’s selected. Pavia has a chance to improve his stock, however, with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, where he has already accepted an invitation.
Pavia, listed as 6 feet tall, also has a smaller frame compared to most quarterback prospects. It’ll be interesting to see how he measures up to his counterparts after the college season is over. Pavia doesn’t have the strongest arm.
“Where we are right now, I’d be shocked if he was drafted,” NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler said on The Athletic Football Show on Oct. 23. “I mean, just shocked. He’s not going to test defenses down the field, at least where I think you’re going to spend a draft pick on him. Now, he’ll go to a camp, he’ll be a (priority free agent) and have a chance to make some noise once he gets into an NFL training camp.
“But at this point I’d still be surprised if he gets drafted. Hey, I hope he hears this and puts it up on the bulletin board and proves me wrong.”
Pavia was highly productive at Vanderbilt, and against SEC defenses. Even if he isn’t drafted, someone likely will give him a shot as a free agent.
Diego Pavia stats
Here are Pavia’s year-by-year stats at the Division I level:
- 2022 (New Mexico State): 101-of-190 passing (53.2%) for 1,450 yards with 13 touchdowns to six interceptions; 93 carries for 508 yards with six touchdowns
- 2023 (New Mexico State): 221-of-366 passing (60.4%) for 2,973 yards with 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions; 177 carries for 923 yards with seven touchdowns
- 2024 (Vanderbilt): 177-of-298 passing (59.4%) for 2,293 yards with 20 touchdowns to four interceptions; 193 carries for 801 yards with eight touchdowns
- 2025 (Vanderbilt): 242-of-340 passing (71.2%) for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions; 152 carries for 826 yards with nine touchdowns
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How old is Diego Pavia? Age, more for Vanderbilt football standout QB
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