Johnny Manziel Mentoring Diego Pavia, Says Vandy QB Can 'Learn from My Mistakes'

Former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel revealed this week that he is serving as a mentor for Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

Manziel told On3.com's Chris Low some of the advice he has shared with Pavia, saying, "I'm like, 'Learn from my mistakes, brother. Learn from Johnny. Don't be Johnny off the field.'"

While Manziel was a college sensation, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012, Johnny Football's NFL career quickly fizzled after the Browns selected him 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL draft due largely to his hard-partying ways off the field.

On the heels of racking up 47 total touchdowns as a freshman and 46 as a sophomore at Texas A&M, the quarterback-needy Browns rolled the dice on Manziel in the draft despite the fact that he was listed at just 6'0" and 210 pounds.

The decision backfired, as Manziel went just 2-6 as a starter over two seasons, while completing 57.0 percent of his passes for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Manziel constantly had run-ins with the law and made headlines due to behavioral issues over the course of his two seasons in Cleveland, leading to his release in 2016.

No other NFL team was willing to take a chance on Johnny Football, which led to stints in the CFL, AAF and Fan Controlled Football leagues.

Like Manziel, Pavia is a smaller quarterback with a flair for exciting plays, as Vanderbilt lists him at 6'0" and 207 pounds.

After beginning his collegiate career at New Mexico Military and then New Mexico State, Pavia transferred to Vandy ahead of the 2024 season, and he made an instant impact.

Pavia went 7-6 as a starter last season, including an upset win over Alabama. He also accounted for 28 touchdowns combined through the air and on the ground, while throwing only four interceptions.

He has arguably been even better to start the 2025 campaign, completing 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,211 yards, 13 touchdowns and three picks, while also rushing for 294 yards and two scores.

Most importantly, the Commodores are a perfect 5-0 and ranked No. 16 in the nation thanks to impressive wins over the likes of Virginia Tech and South Carolina.

With Pavia leading the way, Vanderbilt has the No. 4 scoring offense in the nation with 49 points per game, and he may be emerging as a legitimate Heisman candidate.

It is unclear what Pavia's NFL prospects may be once the 2025 college football season comes to an end, but listening to Manziel about what not to do could provide him with valuable information that sets him on the right path toward the next level.