The legend of Diego Pavia has grown tenfold after his debut performance for the Vanderbilt Commodores. After knocking off potential ACC favorite Virginia Tech, Pavia’s name has been etched into the recordbooks for the Commodores early on in what could be a tremendous stint in Nashville.
Who Is Diego Pavia?
If you have to ask, you’re probably too late. Just ask Auburn Tigers fans who Pavia is after he torched them on the ground and through the air a season ago with the New Mexico State Aggies.
To the layperson, Pavia is the prototypical college quarterback. He’s dynamic with his legs and possesses tremendous arm talent to the short and intermediate levels of the field.
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Pavia is one of the true, rare dual-threat quarterbacks who has equal skill both on the ground and through the air. He made the Aggies a nationally-recognized team during his time with legendary head coach Jerry Kill in Las Cruces, and within moments of his first start with Vanderbilt, made the ‘Dores America’s Team.
His upset of the Hokies aside, Pavia has been casting aside doubters and proving those who didn’t believe in him wrong for years. That mantra that followed him to Nashville was prevalent in Week 1 and should propel the Commodores into SEC play this fall.
Pavia added to his legend following the upset of the game. Speaking to reporters, Pavia had some choice words for those who were silly enough to doubt him.
“Someone said I’m a poor man’s Trace McSorley,” Pavia said. “When you stop me, then you can talk.”
A legendary quote from a legendary player in a legendary moment in Vanderbilt football history. Pavia can do no wrong in Nashville.
Where Did Diego Pavia Go to High School?
From Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pavia went to Volcano Vista High School as a member of the class of 2022. He was very underrecruited coming out of high school, standing 5’11” and 210 pounds, Pavia only held four noted scholarship offers, just one of which was an FBS nod.
He chose the FBS route, betting on his talents to carry him. Pavia rewarded himself with two dominant years at New Mexico State and parlayed that success in the transfer portal to the SEC.
While at Volcano Vista, Pavia led the Vista Hawks into the state playoffs during his final season and has been a winner ever since.
Pavia’s Relationship With Jerry Kill Brings Him to Vanderbilt
When Jerry Kill resigned from his post as the head coach of the New Mexico State Aggies, it could be said that all hope for the program was also abandoned. The roster went through a massive turnover, but it wasn’t long before Kill and his star pupil landed on their feet.
Kill joined the Vanderbilt coaching staff as a consultant and his first order of business was to increase their proficiency on offense, most notably at the quarterback position.
And you better believe Diego Pavia was the quarterback he went after in the portal.
Kill’s legendary status aside, the relationship he developed with Pavia is one of mutual trust and understanding, and that led to historic success at New Mexico State. Early dividends have also been paid at Vanderbilt as the Kill-led offense saw a star performance from Pavia in Week 1’s upset victory over Virginia Tech.
This relationship between offensive mastermind and star quarterback could take Vanderbilt far in 2024 and beyond.
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