“STAY AWAY FROM MY GIRL” “So embarrassing”: NFL fans rip Diego Pavia for shooting shot with Tate McRae

Diego Pavia is one of the best quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class, having given the Vanderbilt Commodores their first-ever 10-win season in 2025. However, his latest attempt to break into the mainstream is not going well.

In a TikTok video that was posted on December 14, the Heisman finalist had a conversation about viral pop star Tate McRae. When asked what his message to her fans would be, he said:

"Do you think we'd be a good couple or no? She should let me take her on a date. Maybe I'll even fly to New York before the bowl drops, or when the bowl drops."

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And fans had nothing but contempt for it:

Pavia recently attracted criticism for attacking voters with a vulgar message after he lost the Heisman competition to Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. He later wrote this apology on his social media:

"As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win. To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to. ... Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner of the award. I have nothing but respect for his accomplishments."

The following day, Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Lee shared her thoughts:

"(Pavia) is a passionate and authentic competitor, and while his authenticity has been nurtured and celebrated here, it does not change the responsibility that comes with representing Vanderbilt University. We believe in growth and accountability, and we will continue to support Diego as he learns from this moment."

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Pat McAfee reacts to backlash surrounding Diego Pavia's voter attack

Speaking of Diego Pavia's outburst and subsequent backlash towards it, former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee called it one of the biggest "heel turns" in college football history:

“I saw a lot of people saying, ‘Let’s make sure we keep this energy that we had for Shedeur Sanders doing in the Draft that we have for Diego Pavia.’ I don’t think anybody’s really talking about Diego Pavia being in the NFL, period.”

He continued by addressing the prospect's NFL future:

“Maybe they move him out to slot wide receiver or something like that. … He’s a hell of a ball player. A dawg. He’s rubbed people the wrong way.”

Pavia's next game will be the ReliaQuest Bowl on Christmas Eve against Iowa Kickoff is at 12 pm ET on ESPN.

Edited by Andre Castillo