INDIANAPOLIS - Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia isn't looking to take the spotlight for Vanderbilt's recent recruiting victory over Georgia for the top-ranked quarterback, Jared Curtis. However, he’s certainly setting the stage for Curtis’ ambitions as he steps into his freshman year.
During the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, Pavia shared a conversation that highlighted Curtis' determination: “We were talking the other day, and he said, ‘I’m going to win the national championship that you couldn’t win.’”
Reflecting on his own college career, Pavia noted, “Our past two years, we won seven games and then ten games.” His dual-threat capabilities not only led him to a runner-up spot in the Heisman Trophy voting but also powered Vanderbilt to its first-ever 10-win season.
“I hope they keep soaring, and next year, they go 12-0 and head to the playoffs,” Pavia added, envisioning a bright future for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt finished 14th in the final College Football Playoff rankings, just missing a spot in the anticipated expansion to a 12-team field, which might soon grow to 16 or even 24 teams. Pavia expressed his preference for a playoff structure with “16 teams and two play-in teams.”
For Curtis to fulfill his bold promise, he’ll need to navigate a tough schedule, featuring home games against powerhouses like Alabama and Tennessee, and challenging away matchups at Florida and Georgia. The showdown in Athens on October 3 is particularly intriguing, given Curtis’ history with the Bulldogs.
Curtis had committed to Georgia twice-first from March to October 2024, and then again from May to December 2025-before ultimately choosing Vanderbilt.
Pavia believes Curtis’ decision boiled down to a hometown connection that Georgia couldn’t match. “I think he just wanted to stay in his hometown and achieve something at Vandy that’s never been done,” Pavia explained.
As Curtis embarks on this journey, all eyes will be on Vanderbilt to see if they can indeed reach new heights.