The journey of Diego Pavia — from zero-star high school recruit to junior college player to Vanderbilt star quarterback to now a Heisman Trophy finalist — is the unlikeliest of tales in college football.

First bursting onto the scene a year ago — highlighted in the Netflix Sports series SEC Football: Any Given Saturday — Pavia has defied all odds and expectations by leading Vanderbilt to their best season in program history, setting multiple school records along the way.

As one of the finalists for college sports’ highest individual honor — the Heisman Trophy — Pavia is now on the precipice of sports immortality.

Ahead of his senior campaign in Nashville and to support the premiere of SEC Football: Any Given Saturday in August, Pavia spoke to Netflix Sports Club Podcast correspondent Dani Klupenger about the season ahead on and off the football field. 

“The team expectation is to win the National Championship,” Pavia told Klupenger. “That’s our goal. Most importantly, we just want to play one snap at a time. I think offensively, we have some goals that we want to hit — when we don’t turn the ball over and we’re good in the red zone, we’ll be just fine winning every single game.”

Speaking on his own achievements, the reigning SEC Newcomer of the Year manifested the highest honor.

“My personal goal is to win the Heisman,” Pavia shared.

Now, after setting the Vanderbilt single-season record for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and total offense — while leading the Commodores to their first 10-win season in program history — Pavia is on the cusp of further cementing his legacy.

Already earning the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award — celebrating the top upper-class quarterback who “excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community” — Pavia now has his eyes set on the Heisman Trophy.

“The Heisman award is the most prestigious award and something that I have dreamt of winning since I first watched the great game of college football,” Pavia told Tudum after being named a finalist. “Being a small town kid, it is humbling and very emotional being up for an award like this. I am super grateful to my teammates and coaches for allowing me to pursue my goals.”

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Dec. 13.

To relive Pavia’s ascension at Vanderbilt, check out SEC Football: Any Given Saturday.