Diego Pavia's magical run at Vanderbilt is ending in New York.
The Commodores quarterback was named one of the four Heisman Trophy finalists for 2025, and Pavia has a legitimate chance to win the award this season. Since Pavia is currently in his sixth collegiate season, a Heisman Trophy victory would make him one of the oldest winners in the award's history.
Pavia has already cemented his place in Vanderbilt history with his 2025 performance, but a Heisman Trophy victory would make him a legend in more ways than one. Here's a look at how Pavia can make history.
MORE: Why Diego Pavia is eligible to play a sixth year
How old is Diego Pavia?
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia is 23 years old and will turn 24 on Feb. 16, 2026. He is the oldest of the four Heisman Trophy finalists in 2025 and would be one of the oldest Heisman Trophy winners in the award's history.
Pavia has been playing college football for six years, as he began his career at the New Mexico Military Institute, then transferred to New Mexico State University and, finally, to Vanderbilt. In his entire college football career, Pavia's best season was his sixth, when he produced career-high numbers across the board for the Commodores.
MORE: Breaking down Diego Pavia's transfer timeline
Oldest Heisman Trophy winners
| Player | Team | Year | Age |
| QB Chris Weinke | Florida State | 2000 | 28 years, 131 days |
| RB Billy Sims | Oklahoma | 1978 | 23 years, 78 days |
| HB/QB Les Horvath | Ohio State | 1944 | 23 years, 52 days |
| QB Angelo Bertelli | Notre Dame | 1942 | 22 years, 167 days |
| HB Clinton Frank | Yale | 1937 | 22 years, 79 days |
The oldest player to ever win the Heisman Trophy was Chris Weinke, who was 28 when he won the award for Florida State in 2000. Weinke initially pursued a career in baseball, but then transitioned to football after failing to make the major leagues. Weinke enrolled in Florida State at 25 years old, and during his senior season, won the Heisman as a 28-year-old quarterback.
Only two other Heisman Trophy winners besides Weinke were even 23 years old at the time of their award. One was Oklahoma RB Billy Sims, who had just turned 23 years old when he won in 1978, and the other was HB/QB Les Horvath, who won the award in 1944. Both players were the oldest players to win the award at the time of their announcements.
MORE: Listing every Heisman Trophy winner by year
Youngest Heisman Trophy winners
| Player | Team | Year | Age |
| QB Lamar Jackson | Louisville | 2016 | 19 years, 337 days |
| QB Jameis Winston | Florida State | 2013 | 19 years, 342 days |
| RB Mark Ingram II | Alabama | 2009 | 19 years, 356 days |
| RB Rashaan Salaam | Colorado | 1994 | 20 years, 63 days |
| RB Archie Griffin | Ohio State | 1974 | 20 years, 104 days |
The three youngest players to win the Heisman Trophy have all done so in the last 20 years. Lamar Jackson, Jameis Winston and Mark Ingram II are the only three players to win the Heisman before turning 20 years-old, as they were all within a month of their 20th birthdays when they won their respective awards.