Has Vanderbilt ever had a Heisman winner? Diego Pavia looks to be first
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Vanderbilt made history in 2025, nearly reaching the College Football Playoff after securing its first 10-win season in program history. Quarterback Diego Pavia was a huge reason why, and he’s looking to make even more history on his own.
Pavia, a sixth-year senior, is the Commodores’ first Heisman Trophy finalist ever. The two-time transfer from New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State led the SEC in touchdowns (36), and passed for 3,192 yards while rushing for 826 more.
The former zero-star recruit improved his completion rate from 59.4% in 2024 to 71.2% this season, also raising his yards per pass from 7.7 to 9.4. Pavia also rushed for 26 more yards this season, although he ran 41 less times.
Pavia was wildly efficient in 2025, and is looking to take home college football’s most prestigious award over Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love at the Heisman ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Has Vanderbilt ever had a Heisman winner?
Pavia would be the first Vanderbilt player to win the Heisman. In fact, he’s already the first player in program history to be a finalist for the award.
Pavia is a finalist alongside two quarterbacks – Mendoza and Sayin – and a running back in Love. The Heisman ceremony will take place at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Dec. 13.
How to watch Diego Pavia at Heisman ceremony
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo (free trial)
The Heisman ceremony will air live on ABC, with streaming options on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Heisman ceremony time today
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
The Heisman ceremony will air live starting at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Diego Pavia stats
- 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 928 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 800 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 Nashville Tennessean: Has Vanderbilt ever had a Heisman winner? Diego Pavia is first finalist
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