In a stunning turn of events, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia has emerged as college football’s newest sensation after leading his team to a dramatic 40-35 victory over the then No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. What was once a distant dream for Pavia has now become reality, with the young quarterback grabbing national headlines, catching the attention of major brands, and securing a $710,000 NIL valuation. The question now: can this overnight star rise to compete with the top quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL drafts?
Former Philadelphia Eagles standout and current podcaster, Chris Long, has made his stance clear: Diego Pavia deserves more recognition. In a fiery post on his Green Light podcast, Long called out NFL scouts and analysts who seem to be overlooking the Vanderbilt star. Sharing a post by Dov Kleiman about NFL scouts’ predictions, Long wrote, “What do they have against Diego Pavia?” He pointed out that among 20 NFL scouts polled, nine chose Shedeur Sanders as the first quarterback to be taken in the upcoming draft, while other names like Carson Beck, Jalen Milroe, Cam Ward, and Quinn Ewers dominated the top rankings. For Long, leaving Pavia out of this list is a glaring oversight, especially after his performance against Alabama.
Diego Pavia’s numbers speak for themselves. Over the five games he’s played for Vanderbilt this season, he’s recorded a 70-105 passing accuracy, racking up 973 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions. On the ground, Pavia has been equally dynamic, rushing for 335 yards and adding two touchdowns on 91 carries. Despite being known as a versatile and skillful player, it was his heroic performance against Alabama that truly catapulted him into the national spotlight.
Pavia’s poise and precision against the Alabama defense showcased his elite talent. Leading Vanderbilt’s offense with confidence, Pavia threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 67 yards, proving he could not only match but outshine the competition on college football’s biggest stage. His composure under pressure, coupled with his athleticism, sets him apart as a dual-threat quarterback with the potential to succeed at the next level.
The lack of respect from NFL scouts, according to Long, reflects a pattern of underestimating talented players who come from less traditional powerhouse programs like Vanderbilt. However, the Alabama game was a turning point—a showcase that Diego Pavia has the tools to be an elite quarterback and deserves to be ranked among the top prospects.
As the college football season unfolds, the spotlight will remain on Pavia to see if he can continue this level of performance and force NFL scouts to take notice. With a win over Alabama under his belt and a growing fanbase behind him, Diego Pavia’s name may soon be mentioned alongside the likes of Shedeur Sanders and Quinn Ewers as a legitimate contender for the NFL draft. For now, one thing is clear: Diego Pavia is no longer just a rising star—he’s a force to be reckoned with.
