Diego Pavia Secures Runner-Up in Heisman Trophy Voting
Diego Pavia, the quarterback for Vanderbilt University, made history by securing a runner-up position in the voting for the 91st Heisman Trophy. The award ceremony took place on a recent Saturday at Lincoln Center in New York.
Historic Year for Vanderbilt
Pavia’s impressive performance this season earned him the title of SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He led the Commodores to their most successful regular season, marking Vanderbilt’s first Heisman finalist selection. Pavia collected 189 first-place votes in a competitive four-way race, finishing behind Fernando Mendoza, with Jeremiyah Love and Julian Sayin coming in third and fourth, respectively.
Significant Achievements
Prior to this year, only one Vanderbilt athlete, Carl Hinkle, received Heisman votes, finishing seventh in the 1937 voting. Pavia’s spirited gameplay and compelling confidence resonated with fans, contributing to a sold-out atmosphere at FirstBank Stadium 11 times since he became the starting quarterback at the start of the 2024 season.
- Total Offense: 334.8 yards per game (2nd nationally)
- Average Yards per Pass Attempt: 9.39 (3rd nationally)
- Pass Efficiency Rating: 171.5 (4th nationally)
- Touchdown Passes: 27 (tops in SEC)
- Completion Percentage: 71.2% (tops in SEC)
- Rushing Yards: 826 (team leader)
- Rushing Touchdowns: 9
Throughout the season, Pavia led Vanderbilt to critical victories against four ranked SEC teams. As they head into the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa on New Year’s Eve, they aim to achieve the highest two-year win total in school history.
Recognition and Awards
In addition to his SEC honors, Pavia received the prestigious 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award®, honoring the nation’s top upper-class quarterback. He is the first player from Vanderbilt to achieve this distinction in the award’s 38-year history. His accolades further include being a finalist for the Manning Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year.
Statistical Leadership
Pavia’s exceptional season places him among the top contenders nationwide in multiple statistical categories:
- Total Offense
- Passing Efficiency
- Passing Touchdowns
- Completion Percentage
- Yards per Pass Attempt
- Points Responsible For
His contributions have significantly boosted the Vanderbilt offense, leading the nation in yards per play and team passing efficiency. The Commodores also rank second among Power 4 programs in points per drive, achieving an impressive 39.4 points per game, which is the best record since 1915.
Fans are eager to witness Pavia in action one more time as he leads the Commodores in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl. For ticket information, NCC members can check the postseason information hub, while general fans can find details on the ReliaQuest Bowl website.
