Overview
- Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman decisively with 643 first-place votes and 2,362 points, while Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia was second with 189 first-place votes and 1,435 points.
- Pavia reposted an Instagram story saying “F— all the voters” and was later seen on video making an obscene gesture toward a sign targeting Indiana.
- Heisman voter Chase Goodbread condemned the conduct as unsportsmanlike and a “punk move,” noting his ballot matched the final order of Mendoza, Pavia and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.
- Pavia issued a public apology and Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Lee said his actions were unacceptable, as the Commodores turn toward the ReliaQuest Bowl and Pavia’s Senior Bowl plans.
- Analysts say the incident could complicate Pavia’s draft process and it has revived debate over perceived recency bias in the Heisman voting.