Pat McAfee gave a blunt assessment of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia on Monday. The ESPN personality weighed in on the fallout from his Heisman Trophy weekend and the questions it has raised about his future.
On The Pat McAfee Show, he said few players have experienced such a swift shift in public perception after Pavia finished second to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the 2025 Heisman voting.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anybody have a bigger heel-turn in one weekend than Diego Pavia,” McAfee said. “Anybody who’s flashy and talks a lot of s---- is going to be hated by a group of people regardless. But this weekend, with how it all went, I think a lot of people kind of turned on Diego Pavia.”
Pavia drew criticism after making disparaging comments toward Indiana, Mendoza and the Heisman voting process. Videos and social media posts from the weekend quickly circulated, intensifying the scrutiny of his maturity and judgment.
McAfee noted that some fans have begun applying draft-related skepticism to Pavia similar to what surrounded Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders last offseason, but he rejected that comparison.
“I don’t think anybody’s really talking about Diego Pavia being in the NFL, period,” McAfee said.
Pavia’s toughness and competitiveness has been notable. However, McAfee questioned where the Vanderbilt standout fits at the next level.
“He’s a hell of a ball player,” McAfee said. “A dawg. He’s rubbed people the wrong way.” Pavia issued a public apology Sunday night, taking responsibility for his comments and calling Mendoza a deserving winner.
Vanderbilt is preparing for the ReliaQuest Bowl as Pavia looks to move forward from a weekend that reshaped his narrative.
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Fernando Mendoza won't keep the Heisman Trophy if he wins
- Why LSU should be extremely nervous about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore
- Jim Harbaugh trends after comments on Sherrone Moore's firing
- Diego Pavia asks Donald Trump to fix the College Football Playoff