Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) moves out of the pocket during the NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia makes big Heisman statement vs. Tennessee

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 29, 2025 8:33 PM ET

No. 14 Vanderbilt's impressive 45-24 win over No. 19 Tennessee on Saturday night may not be enough to get them into the College Football Playoff. But quarterback Diego Pavia's performance in that win may have been enough to get him an invite to New York City for the 2025 Heisman Trophy presentation.

Diego Pavia dominates in Vanderbilt's big win

Pavia was a difference-maker for Vanderbilt on Saturday, completing 18-of-28 passes for 268 yards (9.8 yards per attempt) and a touchdown, while also rushing 20 times for 165 yards and an additional touchdown as part of the win.

Following his touchdown run in the second half, giving Vanderbilt a commanding lead, he hit the Heisman pose with his offensive line in celebration.

PAVIA HIT THE HEISMAN CELLY ON THE VOLS

Watch No. 14 Vandy vs. No. 19 Tennessee on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/JImZURYsr2
— ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2025

With that performance in the books, Pavia helped lead the Commodores to one of the best regular-season performances in program history, while he put together one of the best individual quarterback performances in program history.

He finishes his regular season with 3,192 yards passing, 27 touchdowns, only eight interceptions and an additional 826 yards rushing with nine rushing touchdowns.

There is going to be some seriously stiff competition for the Heisman Trophy this season, and it is going to be difficult for Pavia to get enough votes to actually win it. But he has at least put himself into the discussion and deserves to be on the Heisman stage in a couple of weeks.

He has been Vanderbilt's best player all season, and the best player on the field in most of the games he has played. He is a big reason why the Commodores even have a chance at the College Football Playoff.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: