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Diego Pavia for Heisman? CFB analyst includes Vanderbilt QB in top candidates
Published:
Diego Pavia is on the Heisman Trophy radar of at least one national media member.
CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell updated his Top 5 Heisman rankings following Week 7’s slate of action, and it featured the Vanderbilt quarterback in the fifth spot.
My Heisman Top 5:
1. Dillon Gabriel
2. Cam Ward
3. Ashton Jeanty
4. Cade Klubnik
5. Diego Pavia— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) October 13, 2024
It’s safe to say that Pavia is an SEC name that nobody could have predicted to be a Heisman contender prior to this season. But, the New Mexico State transfer had led the Commodores to a 4-2 start to this season and a perhaps even more impressive 2-1 mark in the SEC against a slate made up of Missouri (road), Alabama (home) and Kentucky (road).
Pavia has been as gutsy as his idol Johnny Manziel, leading Vanderbilt with both his arm and legs. He’s racked up 1,116 passing yards and 10 touchdowns to just a single interception thrown. Pavia is also on pace to carry the ball more than he ever has in his career, as he’s totted the rock 105 times through just six games. He’s turned those rushes into 388 yards and a pair of scores as well.
The underdog story will have to compete with some hot Heisman names in Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward and Ashton Jeanty down the stretch of this season, but he’s certainly captured the attention of the nation.
Vanderbilt welcomes Ball State this Saturday in a break from SEC action before Pavia & Co. host Texas the following week, a game that could further propel the star QB into the Heisman conversation.
Current Missouri student entering my third year of covering Tiger football and basketball. Contributor to The Transfer Portal CFB and overall college athletics enthusiast.
