All is not well at the Vanderbilt University training ground, as their star quarterback, Diego Pavia, seems to be low on spirits due to Tate McRae ignoring his advances. Leading the Vanderbilts to an undefeated 4-0 start and their highest ranking in decades also couldn’t translate his recent on-field success into his off-field romantic gesture. His pursuit of the Canadian pop star McRae has hit a frustrating roadblock, and now even his teammates seem to understand.

Following Vanderbilt’s dominant 70-21 victory over Georgia State, he confessed, “I think the boys felt for me because Tate McRae hasn’t responded to me.” This sad revelation came from Joey Dwyer’s report after the game. But how did it all start? The arrangement began with a promise to Von. Pavia would set up Von with his mother if Vanderbilt defeated South Carolina. However, Pavia revealed an additional stipulation to their agreement. “What @TheoVon forgot is, I said it was a deal if and only if he told @tatemcrae to lemme take her on A1 date in Nashville,” Pavia clarified on social media.

 The quarterback’s mother, Antoinette Padilla, caught Von’s attention during the broadcast. So he attempted to fulfill his end of the bargain. He slid into McRae’s Instagram DMs with a creative approach. “Hey Tate, my friend said I can take his mom on a date but only if he is able to take you on a date,” Von wrote. He followed this with a photo of Pavia acting as wingman. Von also hedged his bets by adding his own romantic proposition. “If you don’t want to go on a date with him, I can also take you on a date,” he wrote. McRae has remained silent despite the viral nature of the story. Now, both Pavia and Von remain in romantic limbo.

Social media platforms flooded with reactions to Pavia’s bold dating approach. Many praised Pavia’s confidence, while others criticized the arrangement involving his mother. It remains unsettled whether Pavia crossed a line or is simply a top athlete confidently showcasing his swagger. One thing is certain: whether it’s his on-field heroics or off-field antics, Diego Pavia has firmly cemented himself as a premier QB in the college football scene.

Diego Pavia’s Dominant On-Field Performance and Rising Celebrity Status

Pavia’s recent performances have backed up his larger-than-life persona. Against Georgia State, he completed 70% of his passes for 245 yards. He added 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. The victory was part of a historic offensive explosion. Vanderbilt scored 70 points, their most since 1918. Pavia orchestrated six touchdown drives in the statement win.

His 2025 season shows genuine improvement in key metrics. His passing efficiency rating jumped to 181.29 from 143.51 last year. The quarterback has guided Vanderbilt to an undefeated 4-0 start. The team earned a No. 20 ranking in the AP Poll. Against South Carolina, Pavia completed 18-of-25 passes for 177 yards. He threw two touchdowns with one interception in the upset victory. His rushing added 11 carries for 24 yards.

Pavia has transformed into college football’s most recognizable Vanderbilt player. Skip Bayless continues his strong support for the quarterback. “Diego Pavia just launched his legend in Nashville, upsetting Virginia Tech just the way he shocked Auburn at Auburn while at the Aggies. last year,” Bayless previously wrote. The analyst believes Pavia has NFL potential despite his undersized frame. In the end, the DM might stay unanswered, but Pavia’s stock has never been higher.