Diego Pavia family tree: Meet viral mom Antoinette Padilla, brothers and more about Vanderbilt QB's roots

Daniel Chavkin

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Diego Pavia family tree: Meet viral mom Antoinette Padilla, brothers and more about Vanderbilt QB's roots image

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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia took the nation by storm in his two years with the Commodores, working his way to becoming a finalist for the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

Along the way, Pavia's family has been front-and-center with his success, making many public appearances while the Vanderbilt quarterback put up huge numbers. As players like Pavia need a strong support system to find success, he has certainly received that from his immediate family.

Of course, there have been times when Pavia's family also offered potential distractions to the quarterback's mission on the field. While Pavia is the most successful member of his family, everyone else has tried to find their place in the Vanderbilt star's success.

Here's everything you need to know about Pavia's family. 

MORE: Revisiting Diego Pavia's transfer timeline

Diego Pavia mom: Antoinette Padilla

Deigo Pavia's mother is Antoinette Padilla, who raised her four kids as a nurse and a single mother. Pavia has publicly stated that he got his work ethic and motivation from his mother.

"My mom, she’s hard-hat, lunch-pail. She grew up with 13 brothers and sisters in a single home," Pavia said, via The Athletic.

In return, Padilla has expressed how proud she is of her son for becoming a role model and inspiration for kids who come from a similar background.

"We're blessed to see what Diego has done and inspired this younger generation," Antoinette Padilla, via The Athletic. "They all believe they have a chance."

Since Pavia began to shine as Vanderbilt's quarterback, Padilla also gained notoriety by cheering her son on in the stands at every game.

Are Diego Pavia's parents married?

Diego Pavia's parents are not married, as his mom was a single mother who raised all four of her kids. Additionally, Pavia even promised comedian Theo Von a date with his mom if Vanderbilt beat South Carolina, a sign that she is single.

Antoinette Padilla Instagram

While Antoinette Padilla has gone viral on the internet several times for supporting her son, it doesn't appear as though she has an Instagram herself. However, that hasn't stopped people from posting about her on the social media platform.

Diego Pavia mom age

Padilla's exact age isn't public knowledge, but she is likely in her late-40s or early-50s.

MORE: How Diego Pavia's mom got caught up in viral Theo Von date bet

How many siblings does Diego Pavia have?

Diego Pavia has three siblings, which includes two older brothers who are among his biggest supporters and one younger sister.

Diego Pavia brother: Roel Pavia Jr.

Roel Pavia Jr. Is Deigo's oldest brother who is named after their father. Roel is a former athlete himself, as he played college football and wrestled at Briar Cliff University in Iowa, but he says Diego was always the better athlete growing up.

"He would whip my ass," Roel said, via The Athletic. "He got to the point where he started growing and didn't stop, and he got bigger than us."

Since Diego became a star quarterback with New Mexico State and Vanderbilt, Roel has been front-and-center in support of his younger brother. Additionally, Roel is very confident in his brother's place in Vanderbilt history.

"He's the best Vanderbilt football player ever," Roel said, via SI. "Without a doubt."

MORE: How old is Diego Pavia?

Diego Pavia brother: Javier Pavia

Javier Pavia is the second-oldest brother in the Pavia family, just a year younger than Roel Jr., and he has also made his name publicly supporting Diego's football career. 

During the 2025 season, Javier got arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest at two separate games, first during Vanderbilt's season-opener in Nashville, then in a road game in Knoxville. 

MORE: Full list of every Heisman Trophy winner

Why were Diego Pavia's brothers arrested?

Both Roel Pavia Jr. And Javier Pavia have gotten into some trouble while Diego starred at Vanderbilt.

On Aug. 30, 2025, during Vanderbilt's season-opening game, Javier Pavia was placed under arrest for drunken behavior and resisting arrest, while Roel Pavia Jr. Tried to intervene in his brother's arrest by pushing an officer leading to his own arrest. Both Pavias were charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest, while Roel was also charged with assaulting an officer.

Later in the season, when Vanderbilt played Tennessee on Nov. 29, Javier Pavia was again arrested for public intoxication at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Pavia was reportedly combative with Tennessee's event staff when he blocked fans' views of the game with a flag, as he was visibly impaired during the instance.

MORE: What to know about Diego Pavia's lawsuit vs. NCAA

Diego Pavia sister: Abrielle Pavia

The youngest member and only sister of the Pavia family is Abrielle, who is a standout basketball player in New Mexico. She already began getting offers from some colleges during eighth grade.

"I want to let her know that she has to be the most competitive person on the court at all times," Diego Pavia said, via Vandy on SI. "And that's how she's going to succeed."

As of December of 2025, Abrielle is a freshman in high school, so there is still some time until she potentially makes the move to college basketball. 

Diego Pavia dad: Roel Pavia

Diego Pavia's dad is Roel Pavia, but there isn't much publicly known about him. Diego and his three siblings were raised by their mother, Antoinette Padilla, as Roel doesn't appear to be in the picture much.

MORE: Who is the worst Heisman Trophy winner?

Diego Pavia nationality

Pavia is Hispanic, as he is half-Spanish from his Mom's side and half-Mexican from his Dad's side.

Where is Diego Pavia from?

Pavia was born an raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is where his family still presides.

MORE: Which school has the most Heisman Trophy winners?

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