NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented to the college player of the year, it was announced Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.
One of two semifinalists for the award in 2024 returning this fall, he was also selected the Associated Press Newcomer of the Year, USA Today SEC co-Newcomer of the Year and the SEC Newcomer of the Year after helping the Commodores to a 7-6 record and Birmingham Bowl win over Georgia Tech in his first season with the program.
Pavia finished last year 177-for-298 passing for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns while throwing only four interceptions, and he also ran for a 801 yards—a school record by a quarterback—and eight scores. The Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident, accounted for five touchdowns and 245 yards of total offense in the postseason defeat of the Yellow Jackets, while he was the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Award national Player of the Week and SEC Offensive Player of the Week after he completed 16-of-20 pass attempts for 252 yards and two touchdowns in Vandy’s victory over No. 1 Alabama.
The graduate student was also chosen the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Manning Award Star of the Week following his debut for the Dores, going 12-of-16 for 190 yards and two scores passing to go along with 104 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime in a 34-27 win over Virginia Tech.
In all, Pavia completed 70 percent or higher on four occasions, threw multiple touchdown passes eight times and led the Commodores in rushing in seven contests last fall.
Pavia and Vanderbilt will open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 at FirstBank Stadium with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Charleston Southern. Season ticket and mini-plan information can be found here.