Pavia announces return to Vanderbilt
12/28/2024
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia announced Saturday his return to the Commodores for the 2025 season.
NASHVEGAS, IM OFFICIALLY BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR‼️ NEXT YEAR WILL BE THE BIGGEST YEAR IN VANDERBILT HISTORY🏦👊
— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) December 29, 2024
Pavia recently made headlines when he sued the NCAA to gain an addition year of eligibility. He began his career at the JUCO level, where he played two seasons at New Mexico Military Institute from 2020-2021. Pavia would spend the next two seasons at New Mexico State before playing his graduate year this season at Vanderbilt.
A judge granted Pavia an injunction, allowing him to play in 2025 while the case made its way through the court system. Subsequently, the NCAA grated a blanket waiter for 2025, allowing all student atheltes in Pavia’s position an additional year of eligibility while the case is adjudicated.
With an additional year of eligibility, Pavia could have entered the Transfer Portal and tested the NIL market. Instead, it appears he will return to Nashville to play for Clark Lea’s team for another season.
Pavia led Vandervilt to a 7-6 record and a 35-27 win in the Birmingham Bowl over Georgia Tech. The Commodores also upset No. 1 Alabama for the program’s first win over the Crimson Tide in 40 years.