After the season he had at Vanderbilt last fall, Diego Pavia is one of the stars of 2025 SEC Media Days.

Fresh off a 7-6 record and the Commodores’ first bowl victory in 12 years, the senior quarterback made his appearance in Atlanta on Monday, making the rounds with reporters from across the country. Pavia said he and his team can ascend to an even higher plain this season, and he cited Alabama’s undefeated (and largely unchallenged) 2020 national championship team as an example.

“We want to run off with this thing, we want to put in the work,” Pavia said, “to not make these games close anymore, to really take off. I think it was Alabama when they had Mac Jones and the Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, and they just took off with games. So we want to put our pedal to the metal and just take off.”

Pavia was SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024, passing for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns (with just four interceptions) while also rushing for 801 yards and eight TDs. Most notably, he led the Commodores to their first victory over Alabama since 1984.

Vanderbilt also won at Auburn last season, Pavia’s second straight over the Tigers after he also did so while at New Mexico State in 2023. He said opponents and their fans probably dismissed the idea he was ready for the SEC last season, but he never let his confidence wane.

“I’ve been doing this since probably like high school or little league,” Pavia said. “I just felt like every time I touched the ball, anything can happen. But when I got to Vanderbilt, people … they’re like, ‘oh, this is the SEC. You were playing in Conference USA last year. Get that weak s*** out of here.’ I’m like, ‘Oh dude, it’s the same thing. We probably had better talent at New Mexico State than probably here.’”

Vanderbilt has never won the SEC and has never recorded more than nine victories in a season. Nevertheless, Pavia said he has faith his team can make it Atlanta for the SEC championship game in December.

“No. 1, we have the talent to do it this year,” Pavia said. “No. 2, we return a lot of talent. And then 3, (tight end) Eli Stowers and a few of the guys have brought everyone closer to Christ. I really feel like He’s shielding us to take us there. I’ve envisioned it. I’ve had dreams of it. … So the belief is there.”