Vanderbilt Announces Diego Pavia News On Monday

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Along with being one of the most polarizing figures in college football, Diego Pavia will go down as a program legend at Vanderbilt.

The New Mexico State transfer led Vandy to its first 10-win season in the football team’s 122-year existence. He also had them within striking distance of the College Football Playoff, but ultimately, they were one of the handful of teams on the outside looking in.

While Pavia has one final game in a Vanderbilt uniform before he presumably pursues an NFL career, he does have a chance to bring home a historic personal award before then.

As announced by the team, Pavia was announced as a Heisman finalist on Monday.

NEXT STOP: NYC pic.twitter.com/DS2jYYuaga

— #14 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) December 8, 2025

The honor comes after he threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also rushing for 826 yards and another nine touchdowns on the ground.

Pavia is the first Heisman finalist from Vanderbilt in program history, and according to the oddsmakers at DraftKings, has the second-best odds (+600) to win the award, trailing only Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (-1000).

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, and as it does every year, will take place in New York. Last year’s winner was Colorado’s two-way star, Travis Hunter who became the first non-quarterback to win the award since 2020 (DeVonta Smith), and the first defensive player to win the award since 1997 (Charles Woodson).

Pavia and the No. 14 Commodores will finish out their season on Dec. 31 against the No. 23 Iowa State Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Related: Rick Neuheisel Linked to Major College Football Job

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos