Johnny Manziel believes one college football player has done enough to be considered a Heisman Trophy finalist. He's just hoping everything will fall into place to make that happen.
The former Heisman winner joined the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson to endorsed Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia as one of his 2025 Heisman finalists.
“I think what he’s done throughout the season, the wins they’ve had, the way that he’s played... If there’s five [Heisman Trophy] finalists, Diego Pavia absolutely deserves to be in New York,” Manziel said. “If you’re looking at one of the most outstanding players in football, based on what he’s done this year, he gets one of those spots.”
This might mean more for Manziel, who was spotted earlier this fall at Vanderbilt’s game against Alabama wearing Pavia’s jersey.
The Commodores (8-2) are ranked No. 13 nationally and remain in the College Football Playoff conversation. But they have to win over with some style points to get there.
Pavia has completed 70% of his passes for 2,440 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 613 yards and seven more scores. Over his last two games, he’s totaled nearly 900 yards of offense and eight touchdowns against Texas and Auburn.
Manziel has a Heisman vote as a past winner and could already have a favorite going into the final weeks.
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