Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia Declines $4M SEC Transfer Offer

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has emerged as a confident and influential figure in college football, notably after leading Vanderbilt to a historic victory over Alabama in 2024. Despite receiving NIL offers reportedly ranging from $4 to $4.5 million from other schools, including at least one SEC program, Pavia chose to remain with Vanderbilt for the 2025 season, valuing winning over monetary incentives. He criticized the Big Ten for having fewer challenging games compared to the SEC and expressed his belief that Vanderbilt would surpass Tennessee in the state both on the field and in NIL opportunities. Pavia also shared insights about the politics in Division I football recruiting, contrasting it with the more meritocratic junior college system. His NIL earnings have grown significantly from modest beginnings at New Mexico State, but he delegates financial management to his mother. Vanderbilt's 2025 schedule includes challenging matchups against top programs, highlighting the Commodores' ambition to build on their recent success.