Vanderbilt Stands Behind QB Diego Pavia After Heisman Controversy, Eyes ReliaQuest Bowl
It was an emotional weekend for Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who found himself at the center of a storm following the Heisman Trophy ceremony. After finishing second in the voting behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Pavia let his frustration show in comments that didn’t land well across the college football world. But rather than distance themselves from their senior leader, Vanderbilt has chosen a different route - one built on accountability, growth, and support.
The 23-year-old Pavia, a fierce competitor and the heartbeat of the Commodores’ offense, was visibly disappointed after coming up just short of one of college football’s most prestigious honors. His post-ceremony remarks criticizing the voting process stirred backlash, but to his credit, Pavia didn’t shy away from the moment. He addressed the situation head-on with a public apology on X, owning his words and the emotions behind them.
“Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor,” Pavia wrote. “As a competitor, just like in everything I do, I wanted to win.
To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to.
I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful.”
That kind of self-awareness and maturity didn’t go unnoticed inside the Vanderbilt program.
Head coach Clark Lea addressed the incident over the weekend, acknowledging the misstep while emphasizing the bigger picture - Pavia’s journey, his passion, and the leadership he’s shown throughout his time in Nashville.
“I regretted the fact that he put that out there, and I appreciated his apology,” Lea said. “What we love about Diego is his passion, his belief, his competitive edge. We’ve celebrated that for two years here.”
Lea didn’t sugarcoat it - Pavia crossed a line. But he also pointed out that the quarterback took responsibility and showed real growth in how he handled the aftermath. That, in Lea’s eyes, is exactly the kind of learning moment college football is supposed to provide.
“We’re going to allow him to move on from it,” Lea said. “I’m going to move on from it. I think it’s a great learning moment, and we totally support him and believe in him.”
Pavia’s apology wasn’t just a formality. It was a heartfelt message that extended beyond the Heisman stage. He took time to thank the voters, praise Mendoza and the other finalists, and reflect on the people who’ve been in his corner throughout his career.
“My family has always been in my corner, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them - I am grateful for them - and I wouldn’t want anything to distract from that,” he wrote. “I look forward to competing in front of my family and with my team one more time in the ReliaQuest Bowl.”
With bowl season approaching, Vanderbilt is making it clear - they’re rallying around their quarterback. The Commodores are set to face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl, and while the Heisman fallout may have created a brief distraction, the focus is now squarely back on football.
For Pavia, it’s one more chance to lead his team, one more opportunity to show who he is - not just as a player, but as a person. And for Vanderbilt, it’s a moment to reinforce what their program is about: standing together, learning from adversity, and finishing strong.