Diego Pavia has done the impossible – make Vanderbilt a team to be reckoned with in the SEC.
The from out-of-nowhere New Mexico native has become a breakout Cinderella sensation for Vandy, and that storybook journey continued today in an upset win over LSU, 31-24.
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. / Nicole Hester/ The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 24-year-old SEC Newcomer of the Year last season, along with earning second-team All-SEC honors credits his mom, Antoinette Padilla, who raised him all by herself, for giving him that relentless attitude that makes him such a likeable personality.
“I didn’t grow up with a whole lot,” Pavia told Kirk Herbstreit earlier in the season. “My mom’s a single mom and she’s a backbone to our family. When I didn’t have a whole lot, it was like, ‘What’s my way out?'”
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Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates the win with the student section against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
His way out has been college football, and now he’s striking Heisman poses beating SEC blue bloods like the LSU Tigers.
Mom also went viral after Pavia had a back-and-forth with comedian Theo Von earlier in the season, who said that Antoinette owed her a date.
Pavia had fun with it, quipping back that it would only happen if Von got him a date with popstar Tate McRae.
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what @TheoVon forgot is, I said it was a deal if and only if he told @tatemcrae to lemme take her on A1 date in Nashville 🤝 twitter make it happen 👀 https://t.co/x2ODiluXcQ
— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) September 15, 2025
Mom turned heads again with her custom “2” fit head-to-toe cheering on her son today in Nashville, Tennessee, in a black top with jeans full of gold showing support for Diego.
Diego Pavia and his mom led Vandy to a win over LSU.pic.twitter.com/187uFe6Dku
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) October 18, 2025
In the postgame interview, Pavia’s mom was shown again, probably looking to give her son a big hug.
One thing ESPN is gonna do is show Diego Pavia’s mom EVERY chance they get 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/DWmwX9nSnu
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) October 18, 2025
For what it’s worth, it looks like Pavia has a girlfriend not named McRae.
Who knows, maybe Diego and his mother Antoinette will eventually be celebrating together in New York City as he hoists up the Heisman Trophy.
From no D-I offers to the best college football player in America, now that would be an insane dream come true.
From no D-I offers, to leading Vanderbilt to a 5-0 start for only it’s second time in 80 years, Diego Pavia looks to lead his team to a second straight win against Alabama 😤 pic.twitter.com/dtYLtXlluR
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 4, 2025
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