Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, trailing Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who took home the prestigious award. This achievement is noteworthy; however, Pavia’s reaction to the results sparked some controversy. Shortly after the announcement in New York, the 23-year-old senior shared a photo on his Instagram Stories featuring himself with his offensive linemen, accompanied by a caption that included derogatory language aimed at the Heisman voters.
Recognizing his misstep, Pavia took to X on Sunday night to express his remorse. He acknowledged the honor of being a Heisman finalist and conveyed the pain of falling short of his aspirations. “To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to,” he admitted.
He expressed deep respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, apologizing for his earlier comments. “It was a mistake, and I am sorry,” he added.
In the voting breakdown, Mendoza garnered 643 first-place votes and a total of 2,362 points, whereas Pavia received 189 first-place votes, totaling 1,435 points. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love finished third, with Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin in fourth place.
Mendoza’s impressive performance has been a key factor in Indiana’s undefeated season (13-0) and their top ranking in the College Football Playoff standings. His statistics include a completion rate of 71.5% for 2,980 yards, along with 33 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He also contributed on the ground with 240 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Following the ceremony, Pavia acknowledged Mendoza’s talent, stating, “Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award.” Pavia himself had a stellar season, leading the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 10-2 record and ultimately a spot in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa on December 31. He finished the year with 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 826 rushing yards with nine touchdowns.
Pavia’s journey to this point has been marked by challenges. After beginning as a walk-on at New Mexico Military Institute and spending two years at New Mexico State, he transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated resilience and an unyielding spirit, frequently describing his determination as a driver of his success. His reflection on past challenges resonated in his apology, where he acknowledged the support of his family, teammates, and coaches. Looking ahead, he expressed eagerness to compete alongside his team in the upcoming bowl game.