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While Fernando Mendoza enjoys his Heisman Trophy victory and prepares for the tournament against the Indiana Hoosiers College football playoffs Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, one of the Heisman finalists, was unhappy with the way voters arrived at their result Saturday night.
Pavia, CommodoresThe communications veteran spoke candidly about his feelings about Mendoza's victory in New York.
Posting a photo to his Instagram Stories with several of his Commodores teammates, Pavia shared his thoughts on voters.
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Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores speaks during a press conference ahead of the presentation of the 2025 Heisman Trophy at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025 in New York City. (Adam Hanger/Getty Images)
“N-all voters” he wrote with a “thumbs down” emoticon. “But…family is for life.”
Pavia, 23, finished second, albeit by a wide margin, after receiving 189 first-place votes to Mendoza's 643.
INDIANA'S FERNANDO MENDOZA WINS 2025 HESMAN TROPHY
On Sunday evening, Pavia apologized to X.
“It was an honor to participate in the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist. As a competitor, as in everything I do, I wanted to win,” he wrote. “To be so close to my dream and fail was painful. I didn’t cope with these emotions at all and didn’t present myself the way I wanted. I have great love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for the disrespect. It was a mistake and I'm very sorry.”
“Fernando Mendoza is an elite athlete and a worthy recipient of the award. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments and the success that Jeremiah and Julian have had this season. I've been doubted my whole life.”
“At every step of my journey, I had to break down doors and fight for myself because I realized that nothing was going to be handed to me. My family has always been by my side, and my teammates, coaches and staff have my six. I love them – I'm grateful to them – and I wouldn't want anything to distract from that. I look forward to competing again in front of my family and with my team in the ReliaQuest Bowl.”
Mendoza led the Hoosiers to victory in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio to remain undefeated, making them first overall in the College Football Playoff.
However, Mendoza's skeptics noted that he only had 2,980 passing yards despite throwing a Big Ten-leading 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 13 games. Mendoza also added six touchdowns on the ground and 69 rushing attempts.
Vanderbilt running back Cedric Alexander (28) celebrates with quarterback Diego Pavia (2) after scoring in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Meanwhile, Pavia, playing in his second season at Vanderbilt after starting at New Mexico State, led the SEC with a 71.2% completion rate, 27 touchdowns, 3,192 yards passing and nine scores. He rushed for 826 yards on 152 attempts.
Pavia's reaction to the voting results isn't much of a shock, however, as he has always been opinionated to the point that he kept telling voters to send him to New York because he felt he deserved the Heisman.
Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy before the presentation of the 2025 Heisman Trophy at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025 in New York City. (Adam Hanger/Getty Images)
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“The Heisman Trophy winner goes to the best player in college football,” Pavia said at a news conference. Hot Mic OutKick. “I believe that if you are yourself, you need to check the numbers, and especially – there are two things that do not lie to you: numbers and tape. I was taught this since childhood, you should check it out. I feel like I'm undoubtedly the best player in college football.”
Vanderbilt had a 10-2 record for the year, ranking 14th nationally for the season.
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