Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has concluded his remarkable college football journey by securing the runner-up position in the 2025 Heisman Trophy race, marking one of the most improbable ascents in the sport’s history. Pavia finished just behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who claimed the prestigious award.
Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ signal caller, garnered an impressive 643 first-place votes, supplemented by 191 second-place votes and 51 third-place votes. Pavia, in his stellar season, earned 189 first-place votes, 352 second-place selections, and 164 third-place nods.
Pavia’s path to college football stardom was far from conventional. He began his collegiate career at New Mexico Military Institute, having initially failed to attract significant attention from Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs. His undeniable talent eventually caught the eye of New Mexico State University. There, he blossomed into a dynamic playmaker, spearheading the Aggies to a 10-win season, their most successful campaign since 1960.
However, it was at Vanderbilt University where Pavia truly etched his name into college football lore. Following an encouraging 7-6 record in 2024, the Commodores achieved a program-best 10 wins in the subsequent season and climbed to No. 14 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. Pavia was instrumental in engineering four victories against ranked opponents, culminating in a dominant 45-24 triumph over No. 19 Tennessee in his final regular-season game as a Commodore.
Statistically, Pavia delivered an exceptional performance, throwing for 3,192 yards, rushing for 826 yards, and accounting for 36 total touchdowns. He led the Power Four conferences in total offense, averaging an impressive 334.8 yards per game, and surpassed 4,000 total yards over the course of 12 games. His influence, however, extended far beyond mere statistics. Pavia was responsible for an astonishing 71.4% of Vanderbilt’s offensive yardage and was involved in 67% of the team’s offensive plays. For context, no other Heisman finalist was involved in more than 50% of their team’s offensive output.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Pavia was named to the CBS Sports All-America First Team and earned Player of the Year honors, outdueling Mendoza and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin for the distinction.
Describing Pavia’s season as historic might even be an understatement. The Vanderbilt Commodores had not produced an All-America quarterback since Bill Wade in 1951, and they had never before had a Heisman finalist invited to New York City.
Pavia is slated to participate in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve, facing off against the No. 23 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. While he technically possesses an additional year of eligibility due to a recent lawsuit, Pavia has already confirmed that this will be his final appearance in a Vanderbilt uniform.
In an era where physical measurables are intensely scrutinized, Pavia stands barely six feet tall and possesses an average arm. Yet, he distinguished himself through sheer, unadulterated playmaking ability. The Albuquerque native consistently kept plays alive with his legs, demonstrating an uncanny knack for keeping his eyes downfield to deliver crucial big-time throws. When facing blitzes, Pavia showcased remarkable efficiency, completing 69.8% of his passes with an impressive 17 touchdowns against only two interceptions. Even when under duress, he ranked among the top 20 nationally in pressure-to-sack rate and was among the top five in generating first downs while being pressured.
In essence, defensive coordinators found no easy answers when tasked with containing Pavia. They were forced to devise complex defensive schemes and hope their defenders executed their assignments flawlessly. More often than not, their efforts fell short.
Heisman Trophy Final Standings Breakdown
Here’s a look at the final vote count for the top contenders:
| Rank | Player | School | 1st Place Votes | 2nd Place Votes | 3rd Place Votes | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | 643 | 191 | 51 | 2,362 |
| 2 | Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt | 189 | 352 | 164 | 1,435 |
| 3 | Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | 46 | 157 | 267 | 719 |
| 4 | Julian Sayin | Ohio State | 8 | 118 | 172 | 432 |
| 5 | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech | 17 | 56 | 132 | 295 |
| 6 | Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State | 4 | 18 | 36 | 84 |
The Influence of New Mexico State and Jerry Kill
A pivotal, though unconventional, hire for Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea was the addition of longtime college football coach Jerry Kill as a consultant. Kill had spent the previous two seasons coaching at New Mexico State, leading them to an unexpected 17 victories.
At Vanderbilt, Kill’s expertise proved invaluable, playing a key role in bringing both Pavia and offensive coordinator Tim Beck to Nashville. Tight end Eli Stowers also emerged as a significant contributor under this new leadership. All three have become central figures in the history of Vanderbilt football. Stowers himself earned All-America honors, recording 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns.
Building for the Future: The Curtis Commitment
While Pavia is set to conclude his collegiate career after the 2025 season, Vanderbilt’s football program is poised for continued success. Pavia has played an integral role in shaping the team’s future by actively participating in the recruitment of his successor.
On signing day, five-star quarterback Jared Curtis flipped his commitment from Georgia to his hometown Vanderbilt, marking the highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history. Curtis is currently ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the Top247 rankings, a significant leap from Vanderbilt’s previous highest-ranked recruit, who was No. 40.
Pavia was instrumental in persuading Curtis to join the Commodores, actively recruiting him from Nashville Christian School. With Curtis now committed to Vanderbilt, Pavia’s lasting legacy is set to endure and grow.