Diego Pavia: The Rising Star of Vanderbilt Football
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has made waves this season, securing a place as a finalist for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. His impressive stats include 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions, alongside 826 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. This performance propelled the Commodores to a commendable 10-2 record, sparking discussions about their potential playoff berth, though they ultimately missed out on the College Football Playoff.
Pavia's family has been a constant presence throughout his journey, attending every game to cheer him on. “They haven’t missed a game,” he shared in an interview. “I’ve got a great family. I love them to death and family comes before anything. So super appreciative of them coming and sacrificing all their time and their stuff.”
Among those family members is his mother, Antoinette, who has garnered attention for her spirited support. During a game against Kentucky on November 22, she donned cowboy boots and a skirt paired with a “Pavia for Heisman” T-shirt, dancing energetically in the stands. Her antics caught the eye of ESPN cameras, leading to commentary from analyst Joey Galloway, who humorously questioned the frequency of her appearances on screen.
“Is there a camera on Pavia’s mother the entire game?” Galloway mused during his podcast. “I’m just wondering. Just a question. Not saying it gets on my nerves. Just asking a question.” He added that while he appreciated the family story, he felt it was excessive at times.
Before the Kentucky game, Antoinette participated in Vanderbilt’s Senior Day festivities alongside comedian Theo Vonn, who had previously joked about dating her. Pavia had promised Vonn a date with his mother if Vanderbilt triumphed over South Carolina, which they did, but the date never materialized.
Roel, Diego’s older brother at 26, has been a steadfast supporter throughout Diego’s football career. Frequently spotted in the front row during games, Roel expressed his pride in Diego’s achievements. “He’s the best Vanderbilt football player ever,” Roel declared recently.
Roel himself is an athlete, competing in wrestling and football at Briar Cliff University in Iowa. However, he has faced legal issues; he and Javier, another brother aged 25, were arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest following a game against Charleston Southern.
Javier has also shown unwavering support for Diego, often attending games and even bringing a “Pavia 4 Heisman” sign to ESPN’s College Gameday at the University of Alabama on October 4. Like Roel, Javier has had his share of trouble with the law this season, facing arrests on two separate occasions.
The youngest sibling, Abrielle, is carving out her own path in basketball as a freshman in high school in New Mexico. Diego encourages her competitive spirit, stating, “I want to let her know that she has to be the most competitive person on the court at all times. And that’s how she’s going to succeed.”
