Alabama DC tells why he thinks Diego Pavia has gone from really good to ‘elite quarterback’

Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) jumps over Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore (13) for a first down during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images

College Gameday going to Alabama-Vanderbilt is something that people a year or two ago would not of seen coming, but it has a lot to do with Diego Pavia helping Vanderbilt transform into an SEC contender, kick-starting this transformation with a 40-35 victory over Alabama in 2024.

Pavia completed 16 of his 20 throws for 252 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed twenty times for 56 yards last season when the Commodores defeated the Tide in Nashville.

The signal caller established himself as one of the better mobile quarterbacks in the nation, but what he’s put on tape this season has Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack saying Pavia has evolved from a good playmaker to an elite quarterback.

“Diego Pavia is an exceptional football player,” Wommack said. “I think he has gone from being a really good playmaker to an elite quarterback, and I think until to turn on the tape, you don’t realize how much improvement you have seen from him from last year to this year. And it’s really exceptional. The work he’s put work; the work their coaching staff has put in to make him an elite quarterback relevant to the SEC stage is impressive. He’s completing almost 75 percent of his passes. They’ve created 53 explosive plays on offense through five games, which is exceptional, and he’s also their leading rusher.”

Sure, the Tide remembers exactly what Vanderbilt did to them last year. The misdirection plays hurt them, and the use Diego Pavia on the ground contributes to the overall rushing attack of Vanderbilt being able to gash Alabama throughout the game, but Wommack believes Pavia’s growth is why Alabama should pay attention to what Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense are putting on tape this season.

“They are a very different offense than what we saw from them a year ago because of the things that Diego was doing in the passing game in particular. And so, it’s impressive how much he has improved as an overall quarterback.”

In his most recent showing, Pavia completed 26 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns in addition to his 79 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Vanderbilt is currently undefeated and sits at No. 16 in the nation. They will roll into Tuscaloosa to face off with No. 10 Alabama on Saban Field and Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday.