Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia ready to slay more SEC giants

Recognizing that his stellar performance set expectations higher than usual at Vanderbilt, quarterback Diego Pavia worked to improve after a standout first year as a graduate transfer in the Southeastern Conference. He tried to get stronger to survive the grind in the toughest conference in college football.

Pavia, who was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list, spent time in the training room in the offseason to prepare for this season.

“I worked this offseason to make sure my body is prepared because after that (Kentucky) game my production kind of fell off,” Pavia said during SEC Media Days in Atlanta. “I’ve got to be there for my teammates. They’ll expect a lot out of me this year.”

The 2024 SEC Newcomer of the Year isn’t a prototypical quarterback. Diego Pavia, a 6-foot, 207-pounder from Albuquerque, N.M., uses his legs as well as any quarterback in college football.

He’s reminiscent of former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel with perhaps more grit, and that’s saying something. While at New Mexico State in 2023 he famously body slammed Auburn’s Nehemiah Pritchett, who was returning an interception against Pavia.

Tough New Mexican

The move highlighted Pavia’s wrestling skills, which he used to win a New Mexico state wrestling title in high school. Pavia and Vanderbilt would rather not see Pavia tackling anybody. 

Moreover, they hope to protect him more this season. To that end, Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea hopes to limit the hits Pavia takes in the running game.

“Look, Diego, we don’t talk about self-preservation,” Lea said. “But we need to build ways in our system that do protect him. And I see that more as establishing a run game through the tailback. We need him to take over the game at some point. 

“The way he plays is the way he plays. We can build around him to protect him a little bit and not give him the option to pull the ball. If we can do a better job of moving people at the point of attack in our offensive line, we believe in our running backs. I think we have a good group of running backs that can become some of the best in the conference.”

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After transferring from New Mexico State, Pavia threw for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns with only four interceptions while completing 177 of 298 passing attempts last season. He also rushed for 801 yards with eight touchdowns on 192 carries.

Pavia had 252 passing yards and 56 rushing yards while guiding the Commodores over Alabama 40-35. He had already led New Mexico State over an upset against Auburn, but the Alabama victory at Vanderbilt essentially made him a household name.

Diego Pavia: Giant slayer

“I think the win over Alabama was big from a Vanderbilt standpoint of just allowing us to go get talent,” Pavia said. “And it eventually helped us go to a bowl game. Each one of those six wins was important. But that one, obviously they’re the No. 1 ranked team in the country.”

Pavia also pulled off some of the biggest upsets of the 2024 college football seasons. He led Vanderbilt to upsets over Auburn and Alabama. Even though the win over Alabama was a huge feat, Pavia said every win is important. 

The Commodores fell short in two tough matchups against Texas and LSU. Pavia said he puts the blame on himself for every loss, especially the 27-24 loss against the Longhorns.

“That’s where two of my interceptions came by tipped balls,” Pavia said of the Texas game. “I need to get better. I need to find those throwing lanes. And we score on one of those, then it flips. I’ve just got to get better at my craft and what I do. We go to Austin this year, so it will be a super exciting environment.”

LSU defeated the Commodores 24-17 in a close matchup. Pavia was banged up in that contest. He hopes better health leads to better results. With LSU coming to Nashville this fall, Pavia is preparing to be at his best for the matchup.

“I feel like I’m a better player when I’m fully healthy, 100 percent,” Pavia said. “So I hope when they come to Nashville that I’m 100 percent.”