Clark Lea, Diego Pavia are a bold combination for Vanderbilt in 2025

Vanderbilt is ready to take the next step in the SEC, at least, that's the plan according to head coach Clark Lea.

Heading into his fifth season at Vandy, Lea has slowly but surely built a team that looks like it may be able to make some noise in the conference.

The Commodores landed a big punch last season by knocking off No. 1 Alabama at home, 40-25. Vandy finished the season with a 7-6 record and a win in the Birmingham Bowl, but that win over Alabama was a program-defining moment.

This season is extremely important for Lea in continuing to build up the Commodores. Fans of Vanderbilt football will be excited, then, to hear that the head coach is very confident in his roster heading into the 2025 season.

“It’s the best that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Lea recently told the media (h/t On3). “I think just in terms of depth. Part of that is developmental. Part of that has been strategic portal additions.”

Everything Vandy wants to do in 2025 starts and ends with quarterback Diego Pavia. The former New Mexico State quarterback transferred in last season and helped lead the turnaround while throwing for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns (four interceptions) and rushing for 800 yards and eight touchdowns.

He's the gritty type of star quarterback who will keep Vanderbilt alive in every game. Even a star quarterback can't win games alone in the SEC, though, and that makes the players around Pavia vital for Vandy's growth.

Lea is happy about what his team looks like, but he's not surprised. Still, he has a roster that he thinks can be competitive in each and every single game. From there, it's players like Pavia that can help put Vandy over the time. 

“I think going into year five, you should have the best roster you’ve had, you know?” Lea said. "But it’s good to feel like we’ve got a good team. In our league, that will get you to the game. I mean, we’ve got to find ways to win. That’ll be a challenge, but we like our team.”

Lea is feeling bold. Pavia is bold. Let's see if their attitudes can lead Vanderbilt to a watershed moment in 2025.