Former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel recently shared his vote of confidence behind Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia, who is named among the finalists for the most coveted award in college football.
Apart from Pavia, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love are also named as finalists.
Manziel shared his favorite for the 2025 Heisman:
“PAVIA 4 HEISMAN 🤞🏼”
PAVIA 4 HEISMAN 🤞🏼
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) December 13, 2025
Manziel’s vote for Pavia doesn’t come as a surprise, after all both share a mentor-mentee relationship.
Pavia publicly revealed that he finds his playing style similar to Manziel, the former Texas A&M QB and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.
“It was through the grapevine. So I just had to show them what I do,” Pavia said on SEC Network’s Out of Pocket. “I feel like I’m more of a comparison to Johnny Football. That’s who I am.”
Pavia admires Manziel’s dynamic dual‑threat quarterback style. Last year, he compared himself with Manziel, saying:
“I think we bring the same electric mentality to the football game, to the football field. We both are big believers in ourself. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to Johnny but we’re both wired different. We’ll do whatever it takes to win. I feel like we have a lot of the same playstyle.”
Johnny Manziel’s mentee Diego Pavia Second In Oddsmakers’ View To Win Heisman
According to sportsbooks, the current odds favor Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza to win the Heisman Trophy (-5000), followed by Diego Pavia (+1200), Jeremiyah Love (+15,000) and Julian Sayin (+30,000).
Mendoza led Indiana to a 13‑0 record, the first Big Ten title in decades, and the No. 1 CFP seed. He finished the season, completing 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions while also rushing for 240 yards and six touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Pavia is the first Heisman finalist in Vanderbilt history after leading the program to a 10-2 record. He recorded 3,192 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 826 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs.
While both had comparable statline, Mendoza might be the favorite given his team is in the College Football Playoff while Vanderbilt was snubbed.
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