Diego Pavia Talks Vanderbilt CFP Snub, His NFL QB Comps, More Before Heisman Ceremony

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia discussed the Commodores being left out of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.

"It's a 12-team playoff," Pavia said during an appearance on the Pivot Podcast (11:00 mark). "Poll every team that's good. If a G5 team wins it, I would donate whatever I got in NIL back to that team. I would do that, if a G5 team ever wins it. But that's no hate to them, because that's why players move up, go to the SEC, go to the Big Ten. But the SEC is the hardest conference, point-blank. I think you're at 10-2 in the best conference, everyone else who's 10-2 in the SEC is going. It just don't make no sense."

Vanderbilt missed the 12-team playoff field, coming in at No. 14 in the final CFP rankings.

At-large bids were also harder to come by this year as two Group of Five teams, Tulane and James Madison, ended up securing their spots as winners of their respective conferences.

As for Pavia, he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist on Monday.

He's put together an impressive 2025 season and could generate some NFL attention throughout the pre-draft process, listing his professional comparisons during his podcast appearance. Pavia brought up Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield, New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and Buffalo Bills passer Josh Allen (28:00 mark).

Pavia has completed 71.2 percent of his throws for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions this season. He's also rushed for 826 yards and nine scores.

Now, he'll close out his collegiate career during a matchup with Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.