### Vanderbilt Quarterback Diego Pavia's Heisman Journey: A Tale of Triumph and Frustration - Diego Pavia, the standout quarterback for Vanderbilt University, made headlines as he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, a significant achievement for both him and the Commodores. Despite his impressive season, which included 3,192 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, Pavia expressed frustration towards Heisman voters after losing to Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who received 643 first-place votes. Pavia's performance not only set records but also revitalized a struggling Vanderbilt program, leading them to a historic 10-2 season [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/diego-pavias-runner-up-glory-steals-the-show-vanderbilt-star-finishes-second-in-heisman-trophy-voting-article-153289647][https://timesnewsnetworks.com/vanderbilt-quarterback-diego-pavia-drops-f-bomb-on-heisman-voters-after-losing-trophy-to-fernando-mendoza]. ### Breakdown of Diego Pavia's Heisman Experience 1. **Heisman Voting Outcome** - Pavia finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking a historic moment as he became the first Commodore to be a finalist [https://www.abqjournal.com/sports/diego-pavia-finishes-second-in-heisman-trophy-voting/2940800]. 2. **Season Performance** - He threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also rushing for 826 yards, earning him the SEC Offensive Player of the Year title [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/diego-pavias-runner-up-glory-steals-the-show-vanderbilt-star-finishes-second-in-heisman-trophy-voting-article-153289647]. 3. **Coaching Support** - Vanderbilt's head coach, Clark Lea, publicly supported Pavia, arguing that his contributions warranted the Heisman Trophy [https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/vanderbilts-clark-lea-explains-why-diego-pavia-deserves-the-heisman-trophy-11207025]. 4. **Future Aspirations** - Pavia is also looking ahead to the NFL Draft, indicating his desire to play professionally [https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/diego-pavia-heisman-nfl-draft-1559617]. ### Key Statistics and Achievements - **Passing Yards**: 3,192 - **Touchdowns**: 27 - **Rushing Yards**: 826 - **Historic Wins**: Led Vanderbilt to a 10-2 record, the best in program history [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2025/dec/10/vandys-pavia-goes-from-walk-on-to-heisman-finalist]. - **Notable Game**: Set a Vanderbilt record with 484 passing yards against Kentucky [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/diego-pavias-runner-up-glory-steals-the-show-vanderbilt-star-finishes-second-in-heisman-trophy-voting-article-153289647]. ### Conclusion: A Season of Highs and Lows for Diego Pavia - **Pavia's Journey**: From walk-on to Heisman finalist, Pavia's story is one of resilience and determination, showcasing his significant impact on Vanderbilt football. - **Frustration with Voters**: Despite his accolades, Pavia's disappointment with the Heisman voting process highlights the competitive nature of college football awards. - **Looking Forward**: With aspirations for the NFL, Pavia's future looks promising as he transitions from college football to the professional arena. 1. Pavia's historic second-place finish in the Heisman voting reflects his outstanding season. 2. His impressive statistics and leadership revitalized the Vanderbilt program. 3. Support from his coach and family adds depth to his narrative. 4. Pavia's focus now shifts to the NFL Draft, indicating his ambition to continue his football career at a higher level [https://www.therecord.com/sports/football/walk-on-to-heisman-finalist-diego-pavias-journey-fuels-vanderbilts-rise-from-sec-cellar/article_329277ba-d54b-523e-b15a-42d34bde3e83.html][https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/diego_pavias_brothers_javier_and_roel_jr_have_had_complicated_college_football_season/s1_17615_43201397].