Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is pushing harder than ever as the Commodores hover on the edge of the College Football Playoff picture. The team sits close to the cutoff line in the latest rankings, but not close enough to relax.
Pavia’s frustration comes from Vanderbilt’s season-long fight for respect. The Commodores have strong wins, explosive offensive stretches, and a quarterback putting up elite numbers.
That tension set the stage for Pavia’s sudden and unexpected message to President Donald Trump. His five-word request asked the president to step in and expand the current playoff format. The QB took to X to request the president to step in.
“MAKE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PLEASE,” Pavia wrote.
NEW: Vandy QB Diego Pavia is calling for President Donald Trump to sign an executive order to expand the College Football Playoff to 16 teams✍️
“@realDonaldTrump MAKE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PLEASE‼️👀”https://t.co/6SdIweB3W0 pic.twitter.com/elisKvx931
— On3 (@On3sports) December 3, 2025
The Commodores have been brilliant this season, and yet they remain stuck outside the secure playoff tier, separated by narrow margins. A 16-team field would almost guarantee Vanderbilt a spot. A 12-team field leaves them vulnerable to late-season movement.
With a 10-2 overall record, they sit at number 14 in the latest college football playoffs rankings. Before his team loses out on the opportunity, Pavia wants to leave no stone unturned, which led him to request the president.
That playoff uncertainty explains the boldness behind his call for help. It also reflects the urgency of Pavia’s last eligible season after a long legal battle to stay on the field. Vanderbilt’s rise this year is tied directly to him.
Missing the playoffs would feel like a wasted breakthrough. Pavia’s message to Trump was dramatic, but it captured the sense of urgency of a quarterback fighting both on the field and around the system to keep his team’s season alive.
Diego Pavia Heisman Odds
Pavia’s individual season sits in a very different place from his team’s playoff odds. His Heisman profile is among the strongest in the country. He has passed for more than 3,190 yards and added over 820 rushing yards.
His total-touchdown production ranks near the top nationally. Vanderbilt’s offense flows through him more than most contenders on the board. Oddsmakers reflect that impact.
Pavia is listed around the top three in most markets, with odds ranging from +300 to near +160 across several sportsbooks. He sits in the same tier as the main contenders of the season. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Julian Sayin hold slightly stronger positions in some projections, driven by higher rankings and late-season showcase games.
Still, Pavia remains close behind them, and his statistical profile is comparable. His biggest hurdle is exposure. Vanderbilt does not have the traditional spotlight of the major contenders. Without a conference-championship stage, Pavia must rely on the body of work rather than a final statement game.
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