Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia finished second the 2025 Heisman Trophy race, capping off one of the most unlikely rises in the sport's history . Pavia finished second to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza .

The Hoosiers' signal caller earned 643 first-place votes, 191 second-place votes and 51 third-place votes. Pavia finished second with 189 first-place votes, 352 second-place votes, and 164 third-place votes.

Pavia started his career at New Mexico Military Institute after failing to receive serious FBS attention. He caught the eye of New Mexico State , where he emerged as a dynamic playmaker and led the Aggies to a 10-win season, their most since 1960.

But Vanderbilt was where Pavia cemented his college football legacy. After an encouraging 7-6 record in 2024

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