Quick Read
- Diego Pavia finished second in 2025 Heisman Trophy voting as Vanderbilt’s quarterback.
- Pavia is part of a federal lawsuit challenging NCAA eligibility rules for junior college transfers.
- NFL draft projections place Pavia as a late-round pick, with possible interest from the Chiefs and Vikings.
Diego Pavia is a name college football fans can’t ignore in 2025. Vanderbilt’s star quarterback—Heisman Trophy runner-up, Senior Bowl invitee, and the engine behind a 10-win Commodores season—finds himself at the center of both the NFL draft conversation and a legal battle that could rewrite the rules for future athletes.
In the ReliaQuest Bowl, all eyes are on Pavia as he faces Iowa’s notoriously tough defense under coordinator Phil Parker. Pavia’s reputation as a slippery, high-impact playmaker has drawn admiration and skepticism alike. The matchup isn’t just about Xs and Os; it’s a test of whether Pavia’s improvisational style can break Iowa’s tradition of neutralizing dynamic quarterbacks. Off Tackle Empire predicts Iowa will ultimately “crumple Diego Pavia up and stuff him in a locker,” a metaphor that speaks to the Hawkeyes’ defensive grit and the challenge ahead for Vanderbilt’s offense.
But the real drama isn’t limited to the gridiron. Off the field, Pavia is one of 27 players challenging the NCAA’s eligibility rules for athletes who began their careers at junior colleges (JUCO). The lawsuit, filed in Tennessee federal court, claims the NCAA unfairly caps former JUCO athletes at three seasons of Division I play, even if they haven’t exhausted their total eligibility. The legal team argues this system restricts players’ opportunities—especially in the era of NIL deals and increased athlete compensation.
Pavia’s journey is emblematic of the modern college football labor market. He started at New Mexico Military Institute, transferred to New Mexico State, and landed at Vanderbilt, where he quickly became one of the sport’s most productive quarterbacks. Now in his sixth year, he’s not just fighting for his own future, but for the rights of a generation of players whose paths don’t fit the NCAA’s traditional mold. As Complex reports, the lawsuit points to the NCAA’s flexibility in other sports, like basketball, where former professionals have returned to college play. The plaintiffs argue that football should follow suit, allowing nontraditional athletes more time to compete and profit from their talents.
The NCAA, however, remains firm. According to a spokesperson quoted by Complex, eligibility decisions are handled case-by-case, but the association believes its rules are necessary to maintain competitive balance and ensure opportunities for incoming high school athletes.
Meanwhile, Pavia’s future is the subject of intense speculation among NFL scouts and analysts. Despite his Heisman credentials and production at Vanderbilt, he’s not guaranteed to be drafted. Heavy.com highlights mock drafts placing him as low as the seventh round—potentially picked by the Kansas City Chiefs as insurance while superstar Patrick Mahomes recovers from a serious ACL injury. Another projection from USA Today has him going to the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round. Pro Football Focus ranks him No. 203 on their big board, suggesting a tough road ahead for Pavia to secure a roster spot.
Pavia’s situation is further complicated by Vanderbilt’s recent commitment from Jared Curtis, the nation’s top quarterback prospect for the 2026 class. While Pavia has publicly stated plans to enter the NFL draft, the ongoing lawsuit could leave the door open for a possible return to college football—an option that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
For fans, coaches, and players, the Diego Pavia saga is more than a story about one quarterback’s future. It’s a microcosm of the shifting landscape of college athletics, where legal challenges, athlete empowerment, and the business of football increasingly shape what happens both on and off the field.
Pavia’s next steps—whether as a late-round NFL rookie, a returning college veteran, or a catalyst for change—will be watched closely. His fight isn’t just personal; it’s about redefining what’s possible for athletes who refuse to be boxed in by outdated rules.
Diego Pavia’s dual role as a star quarterback and plaintiff signals a new era in college sports, where individual ambition and collective action are rewriting the boundaries of eligibility, opportunity, and athlete agency. Whether he’s drafted or returns to college, his impact will be felt far beyond Vanderbilt’s campus.