"Diego Pavia is going to be an ELITE car salesman," "Certified bum": CFB fans unleash on Vanderbilt QB after losing 34-27 vs. Iowa

Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores lost 34-27 to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Pavia recorded a stat line of 347 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions in the loss.

College football fans took to X to give their two cents about Pavia.

A fan said, "Diego Pavia is going to be an ELITE car salesman."

Another added, "Diego Pavia a certified bum." One wrote, "Don’t have to see Diego Pavia on my TV screen ever again."

Some fans were less critical about the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up.

One said, "Got snubbed out of the CFP & the Heisman. He was close to his mission when most people had him going 6-6." Another wrote, "He should be drafted by the Browns." One chimed in, saying, "I respect that he’s playing, though."

According to the Athletic, the Hawkeyes surpassed the 30-point mark for the seventh time this season. Their starting quarterback, Mark Gronowski, posted a stat line of 212 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Pavia was sacked four times in the first half and was kept quiet for most of the game. It was Vanderbilt's third loss of the season, and it will likely be Pavia's last game at the collegiate level.

Diego Pavia is facing uncertainty in the 2026 NFL Draft

Diego Pavia had an impressive final season with Vanderbilt. The Commodores' starting quarterback posted a stat line of 3,192 passing yards, 27 TDs, and eight interceptions, and captured the hearts of neutrals with his dual-threat style of play.

However, Pavia's draft projections are looking shaky at best. According to The Athletic, Pavia has earned mostly “priority free agent” grades from league scouts so far. Still, they have also indicated that they would not be surprised if he is selected in the later rounds.

Furthermore, NFL Draft Buzz's rankings have Pavia as the projected No. 10 quarterback in the 2026 class. The site has the Vanderbilt product getting selected in the third round.

ESPN's Mel Kiper is one of the most respected draft analysts in football. He doesn't have Pavia in his Top 10 among 2026. That places him among the undrafted free agent QBs in his class.

Ultimately, a lot of eyes will be on Pavia at the NFL Draft Combine and the Vanderbilt Commodores Pro Day. Solid performances in both events could skyrocket his draft projection.

Edited by Nick Igbokwe