“Diego, he's a marketing monster,” said Vandy linebacker Randon Fontenette. “You don't really see that many guys like him at the quarterback position, with that swagger, with that demeanor, with that mindset. Even with the physical attributes he has, you don't see too many quarterbacks like that.”

Diego Pavia had taken his fair share of hits in Vanderbilt’s first five games of 2024, but it all appeared to catch up to him when Kentucky defensive lineman De

Pavia had one of his worst games of the season against Auburn last year, but a few big plays, along with a stifling defense, propelled Vanderbilt to the win. Pavia finished the contest 9-for-22 with 143 passing yards and just 26 rushing yards but added two important touchdown passes.

Diego Pavia was asked by the media why his star tight end Eli Stowers was back, and he made a joke about the school's donors delivering.

Pavia says Vanderbilt has laid the groundwork -- and has the belief -- that it can defeat anyone in the SEC and contend for a championship.