Heisman finalist Diego Pavia might have Deion Sanders eating his words of the past surrounding his son Shedeur Sanders
Diego Pavia is in the mix to win a Heisman this weekend, and the road to this moment included some humble pie from Deion Sanders.
There isn’t a bigger underdog or better story than Vanderbilt Commodores QB Diego Pavia being a Heisman finalist with an opportunity to win it on Saturday.
Pavia, the 6-foot former New Mexico State transfer, was the majority of the offense for the Commodores this season and helped lead them to a 10-2 regular season. Slap almost any other SEC name on Vanderbilt and they’re probably playing in the College Football Playoff with their star quarterback. Instead, Pavia will finish up his college career against Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Diego Pavia’s road to this moment included a slight from Deion Sanders
Pavia isn’t your physically imposing quarterback who is one of the first guys off the bus. What he doesn’t have in size he makes up for with confidence and sneaky athletic ability. Pavia had just four offers out of New Mexico Military Institute back in 2022 and one of them was from Deion Sanders at Jackson State. Prime was as straight up as you can be with Pavia in his recruitment to Jackson State.
“[He] called me, offered me, it was my first FBS offer. And Coach Prime offered me at Jackson State, but he was so real that he was like, ‘Hey look, we’re looking for a backup. You ain’t playing over my son even if he gets hurt’. And I’m like, at least he’s real you know.”
Shedeur Sanders was a prolific Lassiter in college as a four-year starter for his father between Jackson State and Colorado. Sanders eventually became a fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns where he is now the starter, but he was never the all-around player that Pavia was at the college level.
Diego Pavia has the most impressive Heisman portfolio this season
Pavia has been the engine that makes Vanderbilt go the last two seasons, but in 2025 especially. The New Mexico native has completed 71 percent of his passes this season for 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. Pavia has added 826 rushing yards and nine touchdowns to go along with that. In terms of pure stats, there isn’t a better candidate in the field.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the favorite to win the Heisman and others in the mix are Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Pavia’s final Heisman-like moment was 165 rushing yards, 268 passing yards, and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Volunteers in the last game of the regular season. Even if Pavia doesn’t win the Heisman this weekend, he’s put together a better career than Deion Sanders’ son did in college, and Prime should be eating his words.
