Deion Sanders is known for having opinions, and with the announcement of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as this year’s Heisman Trophy winner, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach made his feelings known. He took to X, formerly Twitter, to cheer on the many others who believed Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia should have won.
@diegopavia02 is HIM!
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) December 13, 2025
Pavia, who turned things around for the Commodores, was one of the four finalists in the Heisman race, falling to Mendoza after he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season at the top of the CFP rankings. He would soon reply to Coach Prime, whose net worth is valued at $60 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
REAL BALL KNOWER #4K https://t.co/ImWVMBsCPD
— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) December 14, 2025
Diego Pavia was ranked second overall, garnering 189 first-place votes, 352 second-place votes and 164 third-place votes. In contrast, it was an overwhelming victory for Mendoza, who garnered 643 first-place votes, 191 second-place votes, and 51 third-place votes. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love got third in the Heisman rankings, while Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin got fourth place.
Quarterbacks are often overwhelmingly favored to win the Heisman, though some running backs, wide receivers and defensive players also tend to win, but not as much as quarterbacks. Last year, Deion Sanders’ own player, Travis Hunter, who played corner back and wide receiver, won the Heisman, which means that he knows how to produce Heisman-winning talent.
Diego Pavia Admits Deion Sanders Tried To Recruit Him
Back when Diego Pavia was still in high school, he received an offer from Jackson State, a school that had been gaining attention because of its former football head coach, NFL legend Deion Sanders. However, the offer he gave to Pavia was not a very enticing one, as he said in an interview:
“We’re looking for a backup,” Pavia said. “You ain’t playing over my son even if he gets hurt. And I’m like, at least he’s real, you know.”
Diego Pavia says Coach Prime offered him a scholarship at Jackson State 👀
“We’re looking for a backup. You ain’t playing over my son even if he gets hurt.”
(Via @thepivot) pic.twitter.com/kxl065Slu2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2025
In the end, he did not go to Jackson State, with Sanders not staying there for long and going to Colorado.
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