Following a 10-5 season for New Mexico State, which included an appearance in the Conference USA championship and a bowl game for a second straight season, quarterback Diego Pavia entered the transfer portal.
In 2023, Pavia threw for 2,973 yards and 26 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Although Pavia found success through the air, he may have found even more success using his legs, running for 923 yards and seven touchdowns, which led the Aggies in 2023. He was Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year last season.
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On Wednesday, it was reported that now former New Mexico State head coach Jerry Kill, took a position as the chief consultant to head coach & offensive advisor. Later that night, Pavia decided to go with Kill to Vanderbilt in the SEC.
Former NMSU offensive coordinator Tim Beck was also hired to the same position at Vanderbilt in December.
In 2023, Vanderbilt ended the season with a 2-10 record - getting off to a 2-0 start and then losing ten in a row.
Pavia's strong arm and strong pocket presence will allow him to help out an offense that was the worst-ranked in the SEC in total offense and ranked 11th in passing yards. Vanderbilt did rank as the seventh best defense in the conference, over teams like Georgia and Florida.
With Pavia's legs, he can also help out as Vanderbilt ranked the second-worst rushing offense in the SEC. There's plenty to look forward to for Commodores fans with someone like Pavia and the coaches who helped mold his game joining the program. Pavia will one year of eligibility remaining.
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