Overview

• Diego Pavia said Vanderbilt will overtake Tennessee in NIL deals and compete for a national championship
• He declined a $4 million NIL offer to preserve funds for team recruiting and expressed regret over discarding his game-worn jersey that later sold for $40,000
• During a June 17 podcast appearance, Pavia criticized the Big Ten as unworthy competition
• Alabama receiver Ryan Williams dismissed Vanderbilt as an “ant” before vowing to “kill an ant with a sledgehammer” in the rematch
• Pavia passed for over 2,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and rushed for nearly 800 yards last season