When Pavia didn’t win the Heisman, Pavia said, “F— all the voters.” While he apologized for that, the fact is Pavia holds grudges against the ones who doubt him. Speaking on Friday at the combine, he was asked about people worrying about his size, given that Pavia stands at 5’9″ tall, according to his measurements in the Senior Bowl. That would put him below Bryce Young and Kyler Murray as the shortest QB in the NFL. Young and Murray stand at 5’10” and have struggled.

Still, Pavia is confident, saying, “I would just say turn on the tape. It’s not like we’re not playing these guys who are going first round, second round on Saturdays in the SEC. So, I know the SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys drafted in the first and second round. So, we’re playing those guys and ain’t nothing going to change.”

Pavia is short, but he is very physical

Contrary to Young and Murray, who have struggled with contact during their carees, Pavia doesn’t shy away from it and he will try to bulldoze the defenders before going down. His build is more stocky and strong than Young’s and Murray. Still, NFL teams don’t exactly love their QBs taking hits and/or struggling to see above the line of scrimmage.

However, Pavia says his skill set helps him beat the obstacles. “I’ve seen a lot of football. I feel like I can process a defense really fast, get the ball where it needs to go, check us into good plays, stay out of bad plays. And I feel like that’s how you stay on schedule [with] that second-and-6, third-and-short, that’s how you win football games.”

Pavia’s projected spot in the NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April, but we have combines, Pro Days, and plenty of more chances to elevate your stock before the draft comes into fruition. As for Pavia, his draft projection is all over the place, but on the lower side of things.

Some mock drafts have him between the fifth and seventh round, while other scouts see him going undrafted. Pavia is a big name and has a big personality. Hence, Pavia is likely to get chances, even if undrafted, to try and win a place in the NFL. However, once again, he will be an underdog to the highest of levels.

Pavia and the Commodores finished the season with a statement victory on the road over the rivals, Tennessee Volunteers. However, it seems it wasn’t enough as the CFP Committee currently places Vanderbilt at the 14th spot. As it stands, the school in Nashville will be falling right at the gates of the postseason.

On that note, Pavia isn’t afraid to go straight to the top, asking President Trump to make an executive decision to expand the College Football Playoffs. If that were to happen, Vanderbilt would surely be in the mix. However, fans in Music City shouldn’t hold their breath.

“Make the executive order please!,” Diego Pavia stated through a post on X, tagging Trump, and asking for him to order the expansion of the NCAA postseason.

The numbers behind Pavia’s season

Coming into the 2025 NCAA campaign, many expected Pavia to have a tremendous year with Vanderbilt. However, the New Mexico State transfer excelled all expectations, putting on a season which many consider should earn him the Heisman Trophy.

Through 12 games, Pavia has thrown for 3,192 yards (2nd best in the SEC), 27 touchdowns (1st in the SEC), and 7 interceptions. Moreover, he has led the Commodores’ rushing offense with 826 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground.

Pavia finished the year as the leading SEC quarterback in rushing yards and touchdowns. His dual-threat skillset put the entire nation on notice, and earned him a spot in the conversation for the Heisman.

When are Heisman finalists announced?

The four Heisman Trophy finalists will be announced on Monday, December 8, at 8 p.m. ET. Thus, this weekend will be decisive for Pavia and the Commodores, as they’ll learn whether they make the Playoffs — and whether the face of the program in Nashville is in the running to join the elite list of Heisman Trophy winners. The Heisman Ceremony will be held on December 13 at 7 p.m. ET.

During his Monday press conference, the head coach of this breakout team discussed their realistic chances of making a deep run in the Playoffs and the reasons behind their rise to this decisive stage of the season.

“We’re here because we’ve got a really good football team here,” Clark Lea said. “This is not about narratives and stories. It’s about the facts and the data that support a really good football program. It’s my responsibility to make that case and make sure I’m fighting for a team I believe deeply in, and I believe, with every strand of my being, deserves a chance to compete for a national championship.”

It’s clear that the Commodores are this season’s new underdogs in the NCAAF, and any step forward from here would be a major statement. While they may be coming from behind, nothing—and no one—can take away their belief that they can reach the National Championship Game.

Lea praises his offense’s work

Much of the team’s sustained success throughout the season has come from the offense led by Diego Pavia. In fact, this is something Clark Lea emphasized in recent comments to the press.

“Again, I think this group deserves to be competing for a national championship. What a great stage for the most exciting offensive in all of college football,” Lea said. “And when you talk about our offense… we’re No. 1 offensive efficiency, we’re No. 1 in yards per play, we’re No. 2 in DSSR, down-series success rate, we’re No. 3 in points per possession, No. 3 in third-down efficiency, No. 3 in big play percentage, and No. 8 in scoring offense, which includes being No. 4 in points per play.

“We’ve got the best player in the country playing quarterback for us, Diego Pavia. He is the best in college football and should be a Heisman frontrunner. We believe he belongs in New York and belongs winning that award.”

Diego Pavia’s exceptional campaign

The Vanderbilt Commodores are enjoying an extraordinary, historic season, propelled by the exceptional play of quarterback Diego Pavia, who has cemented himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.

Pavia’s dual-threat mastery has been the engine of the Commodores’ record-breaking success, with his impressive statistics through the regular season including 3,192 passing yards and 27 touchdowns through the air, complemented by a substantial 826 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. His overall production and leadership have led Vanderbilt to its first-ever 10-win season.

The level the quarterback has shown throughout this campaign — especially after his standout performance against the Vols — raises the question of whether Pavia should legitimately be considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

The Commodores’ QB1 himself addressed the situation with the media after the game, noting in a thoughtful reflection that he should at the very least receive an invitation to the New York ceremony to be among the contenders for this prestigious award.

“Take me to New York,” he said. “I feel like you go look at the numbers, you look at what we got here, and obviously, we did something that’s never been done. But it’s just a blessing, man, to be here on this stage, something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid.”

Pavia’s breakout season at Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia is the undisputed engine behind the Vanderbilt Commodores’ surprisingly successful 2025 campaign. The QB has established himself as one of the SEC’s most dynamic playmakers, seamlessly blending passing precision with rushing threat.

His present statistics are outstanding: he has thrown for 2,890 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 515 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground. Pavia’s dual-threat production has revitalized the Vanderbilt offense and is solely responsible for placing the Commodores in the conversation for a major bowl bid, marking the program’s most impactful season in recent memory.

Other Heisman contenders

The 2025 Heisman Trophy competition is heating up, with four key players separating themselves from the field in college football‘s most prestigious individual award race.

Leading the pack are quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt, both of whom have engineered surprising success for their programs with standout statistical performances.

They are fiercely challenged by two elite playmakers: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who has been consistently dominant on the ground, and Ohio State’s freshman sensation, quarterback Julian Sayin, whose late-season surge has captured national attention.

In reality, not much hope remained for Tennessee even if they had won the game against Vanderbilt; their path to the postseason was already highly improbable and are now practically eliminated, closing their regular season with an 8-4 record.

Josh Jarnagin wrote in his article for WVLT following the defeat: “Tennessee was likely too far behind at No. 19 to get a playoff spot with a win on Saturday,” making it obvious that despite a win, they were not going to make it into the playoffs.

Tough season for Tennessee

Following the loss against Vanderbilt, Coach Josh Heupel was candid in admitting that the final game of the regular season, especially the second half, was poor for his team. “An extremely disappointing second half led to an extremely disappointing ultimate result,” Heupel said.

The coach was particularly harsh on his team’s defense, which allowed Vanderbilt too many rushing yards, notably from quarterback Diego Pavia, who racked up 165 rushing yards and a touchdown. “The (defensive) performance here tonight was not anywhere near the standard for Tennessee football.”

Last season was a strong year for Tennessee, with a 10-3 record signaling that 2025 might also finish with ten or more victories. However, from 2020 until today, the Volunteers have achieved only two seasons with 10+ wins (the other being in 2022).

Finally, the Longhorns are back in The Lone Star State for their first home game in over a month. Though Manning, Sarkisian, and company did play in Dallas during the Red River Showdown, the burnt orange hasn’t played in Austin since September 20’s 55-0 triumph over the Sam Houston Bearkats.

Now, the No. 9 Commodores present a much tougher challenge for Sarkisian and the Longhorns than the Bearkats. As for Manning, whether he is medically cleared to play or not, remains to be seen. Regardless, Sarkisian is putting Vandy in notice with a bold statement on the Longhorns’ offense.

“We haven’t changed anything we’ve done. Our system has been our system,” Sarkisian said about the offense amid Manning’s absence in practice, via Inside Texas. “I know that his coaches and teammates have the utmost confidence and respect for Matt Caldwell. He performs really well.

“I know you guys have a very small sample size of what you’ve seen in game, but he gives us a ton of confidence in the way he practices everyday, the way that he works. Naturally, he’s been thrown into the fire here a couple different times in SEC play and has performed very well. The gameplan is the gameplan. I think all of his teammates have a ton of confidence in him if it’s his time to go.”

Update on Manning

Though Coach Sark and Texas are confident Caldwell can guide the Longhorns to victory if his number is called up, the ideal plan would be for Manning to be under center. However, that is still up in the air, and the sophomore quarterback is still in the NCAA’s concussion protocol. Regardless, Manning is sending the right signals in the 2025 college football season.

“Both Arch [Manning] and Michael [Taaffe] practiced again today. I don’t have anything beyond that for Arch just because we have to follow the protocol and the days and the rest. Arch has made good progress as well as Michael,” Sarkisian told reports at The Forty Acres.

With or without Manning, the end goal remains the same for Texas. The Longhorns (6-2, 3-1 SEC) have no room for error in the NCAA. Another loss to a ranked program could be the final nail in the coffin for the Horns. As for Vanderbilt (7-1, 3-1 in league play), a win on the road at DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium would further cement its place as a bona fide contender for the SEC title and the College Football Playoff.

Though in the dark, Vanderbilt is doing its thorough evaluation of the offense in Texas. Whether it’s Manning, Matthew Caldwell, or even freshman KJ Lacey under center, Lea and the Commodores won’t be found flat-footed during their visit to Austin.

On that note, the 43-year-old head coach in Nashville delivered a powerful statement on his opponent’s quarterback room. Mostly, he spoke on Manning, who has been on the spotlight during the 2025 college football season.

“Both really good players. Both have the arm talent and ability to throw it. Arch has shown his ability to run the ball and be a physical runner, too. He can make you pay for that. With him, you see the elite talent. All the recognition he gets, he gets for a reason,” Lea admitted during his press conference ahead of the game, via On Texas Football.

Keeping them in check

It’s far from ideal, but this is the hand that’s been dealt to Lea and the Commodores. Vanderbilt must double its tape study on Texas’ quarterbacks, as either one of them can get the nod under center on Saturday. So far, it seems the school in Nashville is doing its due research just fine.

“There are things that make them unique. I think their skillsets are similar,” Lea added. “We know a little more about Arch this season because he’s played more snaps. But both have the ability to be dangerous and a threat. Again, so much of this is about the supporting cast out there, too.”

Chasing history

Sitting near the top of the standings with a 7-1 overall record in the NCAA and a 3-1 mark in the SEC, No. 9 Vanderbilt faces the biggest opportunity in program history. Lea and the Commodores are two wins away from tying their best win total in a year.

Vandy has won nine games in a season four times in its history (1904, 1915, 2012, and 2013). Now, with four games left in the 2025 college football season—and two of them against unranked programs—a win over Texas could put the Commodores in position to record their best season ever.

Manning is doing everything on his power to be back in the huddle on Saturday when the Longhorns host the Commodores at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. However, there’s only so much he can actually do to recover from his injury and complete the NCAA’s concussion protocol.

On that note, Sarkisian provided an update on where Manning stands as the Horns gear up for a pivotal meeting with the Commodores in Austin. Whether Manning will be in the game or backup Matthew Caldwell will take over the huddle against Vanderbilt remains to be seen.

“Both Manning and Michael Taaffe practiced here today. Arch is obviously still in protocol. There are steps as it pertains to protocol,” Sarkisian admitted during the weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference, via Inside Texas.

Home sweet home

Finally, the Horns are headed home. When the burnt orange hosts the Commodores on Saturday, Manning and company will play in Austin for the first time in over a month in the college football campaign. Texas hasn’t played in Bat City since the 55-0 win over the Sam Houston Bearkats on September 20.

“Great to be back at home at DKR. Been over a month since our last home game. The challenges of playing on the road in the SEC are obviously daunting,” Sarkisian reminded his team. “To come out of that four-game stretch 3-1 with some tight victories the last couple of weeks, both overtime games, I think speaks to the resiliency and mental toughness that our team has.”

History

Vanderbilt and Texas have faced off against each other 13 times in college football history. The school in Nashville holds the upper-hand, as Vandy came out on top 8 times. The Longhorns have won 4 games against the Commodores, and the two sides once tied 5-5 in 1905.

While Sarkisian, Manning, and the Longhorns may feel deflated by the all-time record against the Commodores, most signs actually favor them. Vanderbilt and Texas have met only once in SEC play, with the Horns winning 27-24 last NCAA season.

Moreover, the last time Vanderbilt defeated Texas was in 1928, which was also the second-to-last meeting between the two programs. Determined to win in their first-ever game in Austin, the Commodores would improve to 8-1 (4-1 in league play) and virtually eliminate the Longhorns (6-2, 3-1 SEC) from postseason contention.

Following Manning’s injury exit during Week 9 of the 2025 NCAA season, Sarkisian addressed the media with a disheartening update on the sophomore quarterback’s status for the upcoming game against Vanderbilt at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

“[Manning is] in [concussion] protocol right now,” Sarkisian admitted during his press conference per Horns 247. “We’ll have more information as the week goes on.”

Next man up

As things stand, Manning is uncertain to play on Saturday against Vanderbilt. However, the show must go on. Sarkisian and the Longhorns can’t afford to dwell on the absence, and instead must focus on gearing up for when the No. 9 Commodores pay them a visit at The Forty Acres.

With Manning sidelined for team practice on Monday, Matthew Caldwell took over the first-team huddle. The transfer from Troy has been tossed onto the field sporadically during the 2025 NCAA campaign. Albeit with little time to prepare, he has shown flashes of great potential in his limited snaps.

Still, actually becoming QB1 and leading the Horns’ offense for an entire game against one of the hottest teams in the country is a different monster than playing hero ball for one play against the Florida Gators or Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road.

Impressive nevertheless, but commanding an offensive unit requires much more preparation. With a full week ahead, Sarkisian and his staff hope they can get Caldwell where he needs to be if Manning can’t suit up on Saturday when the Commodores march into DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

The kid is up, too

Though watching Manning go down with a serious head injury was a gut-wrenching sight in Austin, Coach Sark and company have the utmost belief in Caldwell to fill the spot if needed. At the end of the day, the backup quarterback is a college football senior, so he won’t be fazed in the face of adversity.

On a different note, true freshman quarterback KJ Lacey is moving up the ranks of the depth chart as a result of Manning’s injury. The four-star recruit from the class of 2025 has only seen the field once during his first year in Austin. With Manning’s status up in the air, his number might be next in line on Sarkisian’s quick dial. On Monday, Lacey operated as QB2—a role he will hold until Texas has a clearer picture of Manning’s status.

Although Gunner Stockton has played lights out for Smart and the Dawgs, Georgia can’t overlook its recruitment for the future. On that note, the school in Athens is excited about five-star plus quarterback Jared Curtis, who is hard-committed to the University of Georgia.

However, his commitment might be put to the test during the weekend, as reports indicate Curtis will be at FirstBank Stadium, when Pavia and Vanderbilt take on Mizzou. After all, the magical season put on by the Commodores isn’t in vain. Perhaps, it will pay dividends in the long run for the school in Nashville.

“Vanderbilt shooting its shot with local 5-star QB and Georgia commit Jared Curtis, hosting him for practice,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong reported. He added Curtis will be in attendance during Saturday’s showdown against the Tigers.

Hometown hero

While all signs indicate Curtis isn’t wavering his commitment to Smart and the Dawgs, fans in Athens should know better than take anything for granted. When it comes to Curtis and Vanderbilt, there’s another layer to the story that is impossible to overlook.

A five-star-plus quarterback born and raised in Nashville, Curtis might be reconsidering after watching Pavia and the electric Commodores team assembled by head coach Clark Lea. Of course, UGA and Smart have plenty of pull of their own, but the chance to be a hometown hero doesn’t come often in college football. For Curtis, it might be too good to turn down. Meanwhile, the Dawgs will hope it’s just another case of “too good to be true” and that Curtis remains committed to Georgia, where he is set to arrive as a freshman in 2026.

Something to keep an eye on

Curtis is one of the best recruits in the 2026 class. As a result, the 6’3” quarterback has received offers from virtually every powerhouse in college football. Curtis has 40 offers in his portfolio, yet he has hard committed to Georgia, essentially shutting the door on his recruiting process. Still, with reports indicating he is set to visit Vanderbilt, perhaps the door isn’t locked as many believed.

With Georgia pleasantly surprised by Stockton, Smart most likely won’t look elsewhere for a starter in the 2026 NCAA season. Stockton has another year of eligibility remaining, so it’s unlikely Curtis would be a day-one starter in Athens. If he were to stay in Music City and enroll at Vanderbilt, though, the story could be very different.

Decisions

With Diego Pavia set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, the QB1 role will be up for grabs in Lea’s offense. Whether Curtis wants to jump into a starting job right away or prefers to learn behind the scenes for a while remains to be seen.

It all goes to show just how different the journey could be for Curtis if he comes to a crossroads between becoming a Dawg or a Commodore. He is most likely headed to Athens, Georgia, but somehow, someway, Curtis could make his way to the Athens of the South.

It’s all about bouncing back in the 2025 college football campaign. Pavia and Vanderbilt may feel sorrow for their defeat in Alabama, but the writing is not on the wall, yet. The Commodores have a bye week to lick their wounds and come back stronger for yet another ranked SEC showdown on October 18.

While Vanderbilt must turns its focus onto the meeting with the LSU Tigers at home, Pavia is seemingly making plans for his future in the NFL. On that note, he voiced an intriguing comment about coach Lea.

“I love playing for Coach Lea,” Diego Pavia admitted during his post-game press conference. “You know, I told him that I hope he gets an NFL job and he takes me with him. That’s how much I love that guy. I appreciate him for everything he’s done for me. I wouldn’t want to go to battle with any other head coach in the SEC.”

No, thanks

Pavia has made it clear this is his final season at the collegiate level. The 24-year-old quarterback began his career at the JUCO level, playing for New Mexico Military Institute in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA doesn’t count that year of eligibility.

Moreover, the sixth-year quarterback earned another year of eligibility due to his JUCO background. While reports hint Pavia could make the case to play one last year in 2026, the Commodores’ signal-caller is convinced of moving on to the next stage.

Through the ranks

While the loss in Tuscaloosa will sting for Pavia, Lea, and Vandy going forward, they can’t afford to cry over spilled milk. The SEC schedule will only get tougher, as they now gear up for two straight ranked opponents in college football. Vanderbilt will take on LSU, Missouri, and Texas (who could return to the top 25) in consecutive weeks. Needless to say, Vanderbilt’s true capacity will be put to the test.