Rece Davis Regrets Heisman Vote for Diego Pavia After QB’s Post-Award Outburst
Diego Pavia’s Heisman campaign ended with a second-place finish, but it’s what happened after the ceremony that’s still making headlines-and not for the right reasons.
The Vanderbilt quarterback took to Instagram after the loss, posting a blunt message aimed squarely at Heisman voters: “F-ALL THE VOTERS.” It was raw, emotional, and clearly not the kind of post you want going viral in the wake of college football’s most prestigious individual award. To his credit, Pavia walked it back the next day, issuing an apology and admitting he didn’t represent himself the way he wanted to.
But for ESPN’s Rece Davis, the damage may already be done.
Speaking on the College GameDay Podcast, Davis didn’t mince words. “Heisman gets a lot of talk, and I don’t want to wrap this up by piling on Diego Pavia because he apologized for his post-Heisman behavior and understandably so,” Davis said.
“I didn’t feel like he owed the voters an apology. He can say whatever he wants to them.
As a voter, I saw some people who took umbrage with that but I did not. He could say what he wants.
But the one thing that his behavior ... did for me was that it made me regret my Heisman vote.”
That’s a strong statement from one of the most respected voices in college football.
Davis explained that his vote for Pavia was rooted in the quarterback’s electrifying play and the broader context of Vanderbilt’s football history. “I voted for Diego Pavia because I know what the history of Vanderbilt is.
I thought he was the most dynamic player,” Davis said. “I'm predisposed in Heisman voting to vote for guys who create ‘wow’ moments.”
And there’s no question-Pavia delivered plenty of those. His dual-threat ability, knack for improvisation, and leadership helped elevate a program that’s long been an SEC underdog.
He gave fans a reason to believe. But the Heisman isn’t just about stats or highlight reels.
It’s also about how players carry themselves on and off the field. That’s part of the legacy, and for some voters, it’s part of the criteria.
Pavia’s frustration is understandable. Coming that close to the Heisman and falling short is a brutal pill to swallow, especially when you believe you’ve done everything to earn it. But in the social media era, where every post can become a headline, moments like these tend to linger longer than intended.
The good news for Pavia? He’s got one more game to remind fans and voters why he was in the Heisman conversation in the first place. Vanderbilt is set to face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl, and it’s a chance for Pavia to close out his college career on a high note.
For a player who’s been defined by his fire and competitive edge, this final chapter could be a powerful one. The spotlight is back on him-this time, it’s up to him to shape the narrative.