Diego Pavia pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in college football history by defeating the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. And he had 70 family members cheering for him!
With his the Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback has marked his name into college football. The first-year New Mexico State transfer was essential to the win.
He completed 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns. In addition, he also added 56 yards on 20 carries.
Highlights
- Diego Pavia hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is of American nationality.
- He was born to his parents, Roel Pavia and Antoinette Padilla.
- The young football player has three siblings: two brothers and one sister.
Saturday’s win was Vanderbilt’s first win against a top-ranked team and its first win over Alabama since 1984, ending a 23-game losing streak.
Diego Pavia is a fifth-year senior who started playing for Vanderbilt after transferring from New Mexico State in January 2023.
At New Mexico State, the young QB led the team to a rare 10-win season and earned the Conference USA Player of the Year award.
Before that, the Albuquerque native played at New Mexico Military Institute for two years.
He then moved to New Mexico State, where he was coached by Jerry Kill, who now advises Vanderbilt, and Tim Beck, who was his offensive coordinator and is also now at Vanderbilt.
The 23-year-old wasn’t highly ranked in high school but was recognized as a top junior college quarterback.
After his junior college stint, he chose New Mexico State over Jackson State, Eastern New Mexico, and Saint Francis offers.
Diego Pavia Was Raised In Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Vanderbilt QB was born on 30 April 2001 to his parents, Roel Pavia and Antoinette Padilla. He grew up in the same city and attended Volcano Vista High School.
The collegiate football player is one of four children born to his mom and dad, which means he has three siblings.
He has two elder brothers, Roel Pavia Jr. and Javier Pavia, and one younger sister, Abrielle Pavia.
According to his New Mexico State player bio, football runs in the Pavia family.
This was evident on Saturday as the quarterback showed up to the game with his entire extended family.
Seventy of his family members were there to cheer him on. It was like a massive family reunion at the stadium.
When SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lang asked about family, the athlete couldn’t even finish his answer before diving into the celebrations with them.
It was a wild and unforgettable moment filled with hugs, high-fives, and pure joy. No words are needed to explain the overwhelming family support.
Diego Pavia spitting bars in an all-time post game interview after Vandy beat Alabama
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) October 6, 2024
-God gave him a vision when he was a little kid
-“Vandy we’re f****** TURNT”
-Knocks the hype nowadays & mentions the reality of NIL
-“Where’s the family at!”
pic.twitter.com/R5Iq1O9jfv
Furthermore, a social media user revealed that after Saturday’s historic win, the quarterback’s family reportedly brought a DJ to a tailgate party.
Fans took social media to sum it up perfectly, “Diego Pavia dominating Alabama in front of 70 family members is why college football is the greatest. Oh and don’t worry, he’s locked in for top dawg of the week. #itmeansmore.”
While referring to his exclusive post-game interview, another person wrote, “Diego Pavia cursing multiple times during his national TV interview, with his teammates and family going crazy around him, is incredibly endearing.”
“A lot that goes into CFB. But that type of moment is what truly makes the sport special,” added the social media user.
Additional Interview
- Diego Pavia’s older brother, Roel Pavia Jr., is also a football player at Briar Cliff University.
- While attending New Mexico State, he majored in biology.
- The football player is six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds.
