Diego Pavia's Brothers Javier and Roel Jr. Have Had Complicated College Football Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Arnab Mondal | Last updated Dec 13, 2025 5:45 PM ET

The Heisman Trophy ceremony kicks off at 7 p.m. ET Saturday at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York. Finalists Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin and Jeremiyah Love will be on hand as the 2025 winner is revealed

Mendoza, Sayin and Love join Pavia as the season’s top performers. Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to a 13-0 run. Sayin helped the Ohio State Buckeyes reach the playoffs. Love powered the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with huge rushing totals. Pavia represents the Vanderbilt Commodores after a breakout year for him and the team.

Diego Pavia’s on-field story is clear. Vanderbilt went 10-2 and reached double-digit wins for the first time in program history. Pavia threw for big yards and ran like a difference-maker. He finished the season with standout totals, including 27 passing touchdowns and more than 800 rushing yards. In a win over the Tennessee Volunteers he had 286 passing yards, one TD and 165 rushing yards and another score.

Off the field, family trouble followed him. Diego’s mother, Antoinette Padilla, has been a constant supporter. He also has three siblings, including brothers Roel Jr. and Javier. Both brothers were arrested at Vanderbilt games this season.

Javier was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest after an August incident. Roel Jr. was arrested too and faced an additional assault-on-officer charge. Then Javier was arrested again at Tennessee on Nov. 29 and later booked and released.

Diego has spoken about the incidents. “I for sure told my brother,” he said per On3. “Hey… I need you to, you know, stop.” He also pushed back on how the Tennessee arrest was handled.

“And I think they were being a little bit unfair at Tennessee,” Pavia said. “He was just waving his flag and they took him for intoxication. Everyone’s intoxicated in the damn arena. You know what I mean? But, yeah, I’ve had that conversation with him. Sat him down. This is the only thing that I’ve told him as well,” he added.

The family issues add complication to an otherwise golden season. Pavia's mother, Antoinette Padilla, also earned the spotlight this season. Comedian and host Theo Von wanted a date with Antoinette. In return, Von promised to manage Pavia's date with pop star Tate McRae.

However, Pavia keeps the focus on football. He wants the awards and the wins. The legal matters for his brothers are moving through the courts. Diego says he has had the conversations he needs to have.

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

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