Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia isn't holding back with bold claim about Tennessee

Diego Pavia is not lacking for boldness. The Vanderbilt quarterback can back up his confidence as well. 

Last season, he threw for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. He also rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a star for Vandy, and he led the Commodores to big wins over No. 1 Alabama and then, a few weeks later, at Auburn. Vanderbilt also held its own against No. 7 Missouri, No. 5 Texas, and No. 8 Tennessee.

Recently speaking on the "Bussin' with the Boys" podcast, Pavia revealed that he thinks Vandy is going to do more than "hang in" in 2025, though. In fact, he put the Volunteers, specifically, on notice, though he didn't mention the in-state rival by name.

"Vanderbilt is gonna run Tennessee after this year,” Pavia boldly said (h/t On3). “This is gonna be the new staple of college football. It’s going to happen here at Vanderbilt.”

Pavia mentioned the draw of Nashville and how that will give Vanderbilt an edge with recruits as well as players in the transfer portal. More than anything, though, he seems to believe in the NIL packages that Vandy has access to.

“Then, when we have like, the most money in NIL, why not come here?" he said. "So, we literally just have to win this year and throughout the rest of the year, and it’ll take care of itself.”

Vanderbilt did make some big splashes on the field last season, and also made it attractive to donors to give to the program via NIL contributions.

Pavia is right that winning, and doing so consistently, is really the next step for Vandy. The Commodores put themselves in the conversation last season with some big wins, but they'll have to back up Pavia's words in 2025 if they really want to start taking ownership of the state.

That means going into Alabama in early October and getting another win over the Crimson Tide. That also means beating Missouri and Texas this time around, and, of course, it means walking into Rocky Top at the end of the season and coming away victorious.

It's easy to talk, but much harder to walk. Let's see if Pavia can keep backing it up at Vandy.