Deion Sanders shows up in the most unexpected moments of college football stories, and Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s memory of his first FBS offer is one of those rare, brutally honest interactions that fans rarely get to hear about. Pavia explained how the call came through and why the moment still stands out years later.
Deion Sanders’ Straight-Up Pitch That Surprised Diego Pavia
When Pavia picked up the phone that day, he didn’t expect his entire football future to shift. Deion Sanders’ voice on the other end didn’t waste time. “Called me, offered me and it was my first FBS offer, right, and Coach Prime offered me at Jackson State.”
What grabbed Pavia wasn’t just the offer, it was the level of honesty that came with it. Deion Sanders didn’t mask the situation, didn’t sell a dream, didn’t offer a fantasy. “But he was so real. He’s like, hey look, we’re looking for a backup. You ain’t playing over my son even if he gets hurt.”
That kind of truth hit Pavia differently. In a recruiting world full of promises and polished pitches, this one felt refreshing. “I’m like, at least he’s real, you know,” he said.
Pavia’s Path After Declining Deion Sanders’ Offer
After turning down Sanders’ backup offer, Pavia committed to New Mexico State in 2022, where he became the full-time starter in 2023. At NMSU, he completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,973 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while rushing for 923 yards and seven scores. His breakout season earned him Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors.
After two seasons with the Aggies, Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt, where he connected closely with head coach Clark Lea. In 2024, he led the Commodores to their first 10-win season in program history and a 7-6 record, highlighted by a historic upset over top-ranked Alabama.
Pavia was named one of four Heisman Trophy finalists, completing 59.4 percent of passes for 2,293 yards, 20 touchdowns, and four interceptions, while adding 801 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Pavia’s journey to Heisman finalist status continued into late 2025 as he was named one of the four Heisman Trophy finalists and will attend the award ceremony in New York City set for December 13.
Diego will be recognized for a historic season at Vanderbilt where he threw for over 3,000 yards and helped the Commodores to their first 10‑win campaign in school history.
Even after excelling elsewhere, Deion Sanders’ honesty remained unforgettable, leaving a lasting mark on Diego Pavia’s journey.
Also Read: Deion Sanders’ Recruitment Status: How Many Star Recruits Have Decommitted From CU?