Diego Pavia said Friday night he expects to return to Vanderbilt for another season as long as there are no changes to the coaching staff that brought him from New Mexico State to Nashville, Tenn.
The quarterback accounted for five touchdowns, leading the Commodores to a 35-27 victory over Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl in what would have been his final college game had he not recently been granted an extra season by a Tennessee court.
THIS GUY 2️⃣#2Turnt pic.twitter.com/Vw6DeKxQPd
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Afterward, Pavia told reporters he would be back at the SEC school for the 2025 season as long as the coaching staff stays in place.
Pavia followed offensive coordinator Tim Beck and former New Mexico State head coach Jerry Kill to Vanderbilt after last season when they were hired by Commodores coach Clark Lea.
Pavia accounted for 23 touchdowns in the regular season and led Vanderbilt to a historic upset of Alabama. Vanderbilt finished 7-6.
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Pavia would have been out of eligibility after this season, but he sued the NCAA, challenging its rules that count seasons played in junior college against the four years of eligibility athletes receive.
Two weeks ago, a judge granted Pavia a temporary injunction that allows him to be eligible for next season while he awaits a trial in his case.
Pavia’s lawyer had said then that his client planned to return to Vanderbilt rather than enter the transfer portal, barring coaching changes.
The NCAA responded by passing a waiver that applies the ruling to all former junior college athletes who would have out of eligibility after this school year.
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