Who is Diego Pavia? Stats, more of Vanderbilt football QB who led stunning Alabama upset
Vanderbilt football quarterback Diego Pavia etched his name into college football lore on Saturday.
The first-year New Mexico State transfer and fifth-year senior led the Commodores to their first-ever win against an AP top-five ranked opponent on Saturday, as Vanderbilt defeated Alabama 40-35 in Nashville.
REQUIRED READING: Vanderbilt pulls off stunning upset of No. 2 Alabama to complicate playoff picture
Pavia was essential in the win, completing 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns, while rushing for 56 yards on 20 carries. Pavia choreographed a methodical Vanderbilt offense that held the ball for 42:08 of game time, compared to Alabama's 17:52. The Commodores scored on six of their eight drives, not including the game-winning drive that allowed Vanderbilt to run out the clock.
The 6-foot quarterback from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has had a long path to Saturday, when he might've just led one of the greatest upset wins in college football history.
Here's everything to know about Pavia, Vanderbilt's unlikely star quarterback:
Who is Diego Pavia?
Pavia is a fifth-year senior in his first season at Vanderbilt after transferring from New Mexico State over the offseason. He spent two seasons with the Aggies, leading them to their second 10-win season in program history and winning the Conference USA Player of the Year award in the process.
Pavia didn't start his career at New Mexico State, however, as he was actually a junior college product who played two seasons as New Mexico Military Institute from 2020-21 before making the in-state move to New Mexico State. There, he was coached by Jerry Kill, who's now an adviser to the Vanderbilt coaching staff. Commodores offensive coordinator Tim Beck was also the play caller for the Aggies during Pavia's tenure.
Pavia wasn't ranked as a high school recruit, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings. However, he was tabbed the No. 206 JUCO transfer and No. 3 JUCO quarterback in the 2022 class, according to 247Sports. He originally chose New Mexico State over Jackson State, Eastern New Mexico and Saint Francis, his only offers after junior college.
Pavia entered Saturday's game against Alabama with efficient stats, completing 54 of 85 passes for 721 yards with six touchdowns, along with 71 rushes for 279 yards with two touchdowns in four games this season.
Pavia also made headlines last season when he beat another Alabama-based SEC team. New Mexico State dominated Auburn 31-10 on the road, where Pavia threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns with 35 rushing yards against the Tigers.
Diego Pavia parents
According to his former New Mexico State player bio, Diego Pavia is the son of Roel Pavia and Antoinette Padilla. He also has two older brothers named Roel Pavia Jr. and Javier Pavia. He has a younger sister, as well, named Abrielle.
Diego Pavia stats
Here are Pavia's stats against Alabama, including his year-by-year stats in Division I:
2022 (New Mexico State): 101 of 190 passing (53.2%) for 1,450 yards with 13 touchdowns to six interceptions; 93 rushes for 508 yards with six touchdowns
2023 (New Mexico State): 221 of 366 passing (60.4%) for 2,973 yards with 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions; 176 rushes for 923 yards with seven touchdowns
2024 (Vanderbilt): 70 of 105 passing for 973 yards with eight touchdowns; 91 rushes for 335 yards with two touchdowns
vs. Alabama: 16 of 20 passing (80%) for 252 yards with two touchdowns; 20 rushes for 56 yards
Diego Pavia height
Pavia stands 6-foot, according to his Vanderbilt biography page.
Diego Pavia 247 rating
Pavia was not rated as a recruit out of Volcano Vista High School, but was rated as a two-star junior college transfer in 2022. Here's his 247Sports rating as a junior college prospect:
Stars: 2
National rating: No. 206
Quarterback rating: No. 3
New Mexico rating: No. 6
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Diego Pavia? Stats, more to know of Vanderbilt football QB
