Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Diego Pavia pulls a Johnny Manziel during Vanderbilt’s win over LSU

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Oct 18, 2025 4:38 PM ET

Diego Football was in the house during Saturday’s game.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia led his team to victory this week over LSU. The No. 17-ranked Commodores took down the No. 10-ranked Tigers by a final score of 31-24 as Pavia threw for 160 yards and a touchdown. He also added another 86 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to finish as the game’s leading rusher.

After one touchdown run in the third quarter, Pavia pulled a Johnny Manziel with his celebration. Pavia hit the Heisman Trophy pose and then went on to do a money gesture in the style of Manziel.

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia hit the Heisman and paid homage to Johnny Manziel pic.twitter.com/ukQZ67VIDs
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 18, 2025

The former Heisman winner Manziel, who also wore No. 2 during his playing days, serves as a mentor to Pavia. Plenty of fans see the similiarities in their games, and Pavia did indeed produce some Manziel-like moments during Saturday’s win over LSU.

Shades of Johnny Manziel from Diego Pavia pic.twitter.com/Bv8lb4FH85
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) October 18, 2025

Now 32 years old, Manziel last played competitive football in 2022 as a player-coach for the FCF Zappers of Fan Controlled Football, an indoor 7-on-7 league. But he has made a point of supporting Pavia, 24, during games this year. In a game last week between Vanderbilt and Alabama, Manziel was spotted on the sidelines wearing a Pavia jersey. Manziel also went on to flip Alabama fans the double bird at one point during the contest.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: