ESPN’s Rece Davis Says Diego Pavia’s Heisman Reaction Made Him Regret His Vote

The fallout from the 2025 Heisman Trophy race continues, and this time it’s coming from inside the voting room.

ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis revealed that he voted for Diego Pavia to win college football’s most prestigious award—but says he now regrets that decision.

Davis shared his perspective on the Heisman results on the College GameDay podcast, explaining that Pavia was at the top of his ballot based solely on performance.

Ahead of the ceremony, the Vanderbilt quarterback had built a strong statistical case, completing 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and nine scores. Pavia also led Vanderbilt to a historic 10–2 record, the program’s first 10-win season, and a return trip to a bowl game.

However, Davis said his feelings changed after the results were announced, and Pavia’s reaction became public. Following his second-place finish, Pavia was seen celebrating with a sign that read “F**k Indiana,” and later posted an Instagram Story stating, “F-ALL THE VOTERS BUT….. FAMILY FOR LIFE.”

The posts quickly spread across social media and drew criticism, even though Pavia later apologized for the behavior.

“I regretted the vote, because after Pavia’s behavior in the aftermath, I was like, ‘Man, I’m glad he didn’t win. I’m glad he didn’t win,’” Davis said. “That’s not the way you should feel about a player that’s as great as Pavia is on the field.”

Davis emphasized that his reaction wasn’t rooted in disappointment alone, but in how Pavia’s comments came across in relation to the actual winner. “I am delighted that Mendoza won, because he will represent the Heisman in the way that I think it should be represented,” Davis said.

While acknowledging how difficult the loss must have been, Davis added that handling disappointment is part of the responsibility that comes with competing at the highest level. “I get it. It’s disappointing, man,” he said. “Every now and then in life, you’ve got to wear a fastball to the ribs. Too bad. And he couldn’t do it.”

The controversy unfolded alongside a historic win for Fernando Mendoza, who became Indiana’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner.

Mendoza led the Hoosiers to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten championship, and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He finished the year with over 3,000 passing yards, more than 30 touchdown passes, and minimal turnovers, solidifying his place atop the ballot.