NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - It’s an off-season of optimism for Vanderbilt football, and quarterback Diego Pavia is a big reason for that. Last year, he helped lead the Commodores to their first winning season since 2013, and thanks to his lawsuit against the NCAA, Pavia earned an extra season of eligibility to run it back.

While the 2025 SEC football season begins with Media Days, it's a person who isn't there that's dominating the conversation.

A look at Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt football quarterback who beat Alabama in 2024, won NCAA lawsuit. His age is 23, height is 6 feet.

Diego Pavia had taken his fair share of hits in Vanderbilt’s first five games of 2024, but it all appeared to catch up to him when Kentucky defensive lineman De

Pavia had one of his worst games of the season against Auburn last year, but a few big plays, along with a stifling defense, propelled Vanderbilt to the win. Pavia finished the contest 9-for-22 with 143 passing yards and just 26 rushing yards but added two important touchdown passes.

Diego Pavia went from a no-name JUCO player to an SEC big shot whose NCAA lawsuit altered the eligibility landscape.

Diego Pavia was asked by the media why his star tight end Eli Stowers was back, and he made a joke about the school's donors delivering.

The Oklahoma Sooners are banking on John Mateer to make a productive jump to the SEC. Diego Pavia and Taylen Green did it. So why can't Mateer?