Diego Pavia details how NIL offers have changed throughout college career

Diego Pavia has seen the NIL era of college football grow into what it is today as one of the biggest beneficiaries of it. The Vanderbilt quarterback has an estimated valuation of $1.6 million according to On3, making money that was unimaginable to college athletes only a few years ago.

Even he wasn’t always raking in that kind of cash in the early days of NIL. Pavia began his college career at the JUCO level in 2020, before NIL laws had even been passed. It wasn’t until he arrived at New Mexico State in 2022, one year after the first season of NIL, that he got his first deal.

But, as he explained in an appearance on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, that was paltry compared to what he was pulling in now. Despite starting eight of 12 games for the Aggies in the 2022 season, Pavia wasn’t even the highest paid player on his own team.

“First crack in the NIL game I was getting paid $1,400 at New Mexico State per month and I was pissed because Eli Stowers was getting paid $3,000 a month and he played tight end and I played quarterback,” Pavia said. “I’m like, ‘Man, f*** that. I need to go harder.’ It all worked itself out.”

Pavia found his form over the back half of his first season at New Mexico State, setting him up to enter 2023 as the clear starter. He would go on to throw for 2,973 yards and 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions while also rushing for 923 yards and seven scores.

The Aggies finished 10-5 that season and Pavia saw the dividends from his big year in the transfer portal. He was not only being offered a monthly pay that was in the six figures range, but gifts in addition to the payments as well.

“Coming from that $1,400 to these others schools were offering my like a car, houses and big time money. It’s like, ‘Holy sh*t,'” Pavia said. “…I would have stayed at New Mexico State for $100,000. Then at Vandy, the quarterback they just brought in, they paid him way over $100,000 and they offered me $150,000, but I didn’t know that. I’m going from $1,400 to $150,000? I’m like, ‘Sign me up.’ So that’s how I took it last year.”

There was some question of whether Pavia would have any eligibility remaining for 2025 because he had played five seasons already. However, the NCAA ruled to grant a waiver to players that did not count their JUCO seasons against eligibility, opening the door for him to play one more year.

Now he’ll get to continue reaping the benefits of NIL as he looks to lead Vanderbilt to its first ever College Football Playoff appearance. But even with all the money coming in, he has been smart with his finances thanks to his family and resources at the school.

“Vanderbilt does a good job of bringing in ex-players or alumni that are big-time people who work in the business. They come back and tell us about (financial literacy). We have probably 8-9 meetings on it. ..,I give it all to my mom and she handles it. So I’ve never touched a dime of my NIL.”