Dec 9, 2025 - Sports

Vanderbilt's Pavia up for the Heisman

Nate Rau

Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia — Photo: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, whose collegiate career was extended thanks to a landmark legal challenge, was one of four players named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given to college football's best player.

Why it matters: Pavia only played two seasons for the Commodores, but he's cemented himself as one of the best players in program history. He's the first Vandy player to be named a Heisman finalist.

By the numbers: Pavia threw 27 touchdowns and rushed for nine more to lead the Commodores to a 10-2 record.

State of play: The other finalists are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

Mendoza, who led Indiana to the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, is viewed as the favorite.

Flashback: Before arriving at Vanderbilt, Pavia played two seasons at the junior college New Mexico Military Institute and two seasons at New Mexico State.

Combined with his first season at Vanderbilt, Pavia's college eligibility appeared to be complete after last year. But Pavia filed a federal lawsuit challenging the NCAA rules that count junior college seasons toward an athlete's eligibility.
He was granted a preliminary injunction, which paved the way for his magical season.

What's next: The winner will be announced at a ceremony Saturday night. It will air at 6pm Central on ABC.

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Vanderbilt's Pavia up for the Heisman

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