Diego Pavia suggests Vanderbilt could be 'national championship-winning team' in 2025

Tensions were running high in the Birmingham Bowl between Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt on Friday night. The game had just about everything: fights, lightning delays, and even a fan who did some funny stuff on the field during the delay.

Amid it all, Vanderbilt rode an impressive performance from their fearless leader, Diego Pavia, to a 35-27 bowl victory.

Pavia racked up over 200 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in the win. His five touchdowns were a bowl record for the program. And it’s the first bowl victory for Vanderbilt since 2013. Following the big win, Pavia spoke with ESPN sideline reporter Ashley Shahahmadi about the game.

And, after announcing his return to Vanderbilt in 2025 thanks to a recent legal ruling, the dynamic dual-threat quarterback has big expectations for the Commodores next season.

“I want to be a national championship winning team,” Pavia explained. “I feel like we’ve got the pieces to do it. We’re missing maybe one or two more pieces and once we have those guys, we’re ready to go as long as everyone stays healthy.”

Pavia also discussed what Friday night’s bowl win meant for the program, and how his “mamba mentality” helps propel him to greater heights.

“It means a lot. I feel like it means more to the fans here at Vanderbilt. This is just a stepping stone. So, we want a lot bigger stage than what we’ve got right now,” Pavia explained. “I just feel like God’s given me the gift to just have a different mentality. I just have a mamba mentality every time I step on the field. I feel like nobody’s better than me. I’m the best person ever. When I come on the football field, that’s how I feel.”

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers finished with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, including one of the best catches of the game.

Jerry Kill told Aria Gerson on Friday night that the gifted tight end will be returning for next season. He finished the year with 45 catches for 583 yards and four touchdowns. Stowers was the team’s leading receiver in 2024 and Pavia’s favorite target. He made it on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list for the 2024 season.

Vanderbilt finished with a 7-6 overall record and Georgia Tech finished with a 7-6 overall record. The Commodores will begin their 2025 campaign against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers next fall. That one will be played on Saturday, August 30th at home in Nashville, Tennessee.