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Is Heisman Finalist Diego Pavia Really 6-Foot Tall?

Samnur Reza
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Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia speaks to the media during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the presentation of the Heisman trophy.

According to Vanderbilt Commodores’ official website, their QB, Diego Pavia, is exactly six feet tall. However, during the Heisman ceremony, in which Pavia finished second in voting, he didn’t exactly look that tall.

While standing next to fellow finalist, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who is also listed at six feet on official rosters, Pavia appeared shorter. At least by a couple of inches.

And when he stood next to winner Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza (6’5″) and Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin (6’1″), Pavia again looked shorter. So, is he really six feet tall?

For now, no one can say for certain that Pavia isn’t six feet, until at least Combine measurements come out in February. But no viewer of the Heisman ceremony could deny that Pavia seemed shorter than his listed height, and that sentiment is being echoed on social media as well.

While Pavia stood next to the other three finalists, everyone seemed to tower over him. Though at the same time, Mendoza, the tallest of them all, didn’t appear extremely towering, maybe closer to 6’2″ or 6’3″. Sayin looked around six feet, which would place Pavia closer to 5’9″.

Of course, we’re speculating hard here. Posture, camera angles, and footwear could all play a part in the perceived differences. But at the same time, it’s long been known that colleges sometimes inflate player measurements to improve scouting prospects, so we’re as unsure as anyone. Except, perhaps, about Pavia.

The Vanderbilt product is arguably smaller than listed, and that could ultimately affect his draft stock. NFL teams have grown hesitant with shorter QBs in recent years, with examples like Dillon Gabriel struggling for the Browns last year and QBs like Bryce Young and Kyler Murray facing consistency issues.

Still, Vanderbilt’s QB has plenty to show. Despite his stature, he led the school to a historic 10-win season in 2025, and proved himself a true dual-threat: 242-of-340 passing for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns, plus 826 rushing yards and nine scores, totaling 4,018 yards. Maybe, in the end, scouts will prioritize production over height.

About the author

Samnur Reza

Samnur Reza

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Samnur Reza is an NFL editor for The SportsRush. He holds a degree in English Honors and joined The SportsRush editorial team in 2023. Having previously worked as a freelancer and several media outlets, Samnur has been religiously following the National Football League for the past six and a half years. Samnur first started following football after Tom Brady's cameo in Ted 2. It wasn’t long before he found himself grabbing a bucket of popcorn to enjoy football games. He still vividly remembers his first-ever fixture: a 2011 matchup between the Patriots and Raiders, where Brady led his team to a 31-19 victory. Even so, Samnur believes Brady’s best performance came against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, a game he still revisits from time to time. Samnur diligently follows most NFL athletes, their family members, and even the NCAA. Thus, he considers himself a diverse writer, having covered almost every corner of the football world. He does, however, have a special interest in athlete-centric stories. Whenever they engage in off-field ventures or charitable activities, Samnur enjoys reading and writing about them. Samnur had already authored over 1000 NFL-based articles before becoming an editor. His editorial journey began just a little over a year ago. Beyond football, Samnur is a true cinephile with an extensive repertoire of films. He’s also fond of cats and has a furry friend named ‘Eva.’ During his free time, Samnur enjoys playing video games, currently immersed in Elden Ring. Having recently learned how to ride a bike, he now wishes to travel almost everywhere on it.

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