🔥 CONTROVERSY ALERT: Diego Pavia Throws Dirty Shade at Tennessee Vols With Senseless Take on Draft and Trade – Reports Claim…

In a bizarre and unexpected twist during what should’ve been a routine interview, New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia has ignited a firestorm in SEC circles after taking a direct shot at the Tennessee Volunteers — and not in a friendly way.

Speaking during a media availability about his NFL Draft aspirations, Pavia veered off-topic to drop what many are calling a “classless and clueless” jab at the Vols, calling into question Tennessee’s NFL development pipeline and even hinting at alleged “overhype” around their players in both draft and trade discussions.

🗣️ Pavia’s Comment: “They get hyped up… but where do they really go?”

Here’s the quote that sparked outrage:

“You hear all this talk about the SEC and the Vols pushing top-tier talent. But if you really look at it, they get hyped up every year, and where do most of them go? Practice squads. They’re not built like that. It’s smoke.”

The statement immediately drew backlash online, with fans, analysts, and even former players slamming Pavia for what many see as a “senseless and uninformed” attack on a program with a long list of NFL contributors.

🔁 Trade & Draft Angle: What’s the Agenda?

What made the comment even stranger was Pavia’s attempt to tie Tennessee into ongoing NFL draft and trade rumors, as he added:

“You’ve got teams trading up for guys just because they wore orange. Like, come on. That’s not scouting, that’s just branding. Let’s be real.”

Insiders are puzzled, as there are no major reports suggesting Tennessee prospects are benefiting from inflated draft stock — quite the opposite, in fact. Some scouts have even noted Vols players are often underrated due to the system they play in.

So why bring this up?

Sources close to the situation suggest Pavia may be trying to stir the pot intentionally, hoping to get media attention or even draw the eyes of NFL evaluators by showing “confidence” and “swagger.” Others speculate he’s using Tennessee as a scapegoat for his own frustrations about not getting draft buzz.

📊 The Reality Check: Tennessee’s NFL Track Record

Despite Pavia’s remarks, the numbers tell a different story. In just the last few years:

Jalin Hyatt (NY Giants),
Darnell Wright (Chicago Bears – Top 10 pick),
Hendon Hooker (Detroit Lions),
Alontae Taylor (New Orleans Saints),

…are just a few recent Tennessee players making real contributions in the NFL.

Moreover, Tennessee is routinely scouted heavily by NFL GMs and coaches, and their 2025 draft class is expected to feature multiple Day 1 and Day 2 prospects.

So when Pavia throws shade, it looks less like an informed critique and more like a misguided swipe with zero backing.

💬 Fan Reaction: “Who is this guy?”

Tennessee fans were quick to clap back, flooding social media with memes and replies like:

“Diego who?”
“Talk when you’ve played in a stadium with 100k people.”
“Jealousy looks different on everybody, I guess.”

Some went as far as to dig up Pavia’s career stats, pointing out that while solid at the Group of Five level, he has yet to face top-tier Power Five competition or show the kind of dominance needed to support such bold takes.

🧠 Analyst Response: “Tone-deaf and unhelpful”

College football analysts haven’t held back either. One anonymous draft scout told a regional outlet:

“That kind of comment doesn’t help him. It just puts unnecessary heat on a kid who isn’t even in the draft conversation right now. If anything, it makes teams question his maturity.”

Another ESPN contributor said:

“Diego Pavia should be focused on beating Liberty, not throwing shade at a program with more NFL alumni than New Mexico State has bowl wins.”

🔮 What’s Next for Pavia?

Pavia, who had a breakout 2023 season with the Aggies and helped lead them to a conference championship appearance, is aiming to improve his stock in 2025. But he’ll now have an extra spotlight on him — and not necessarily the kind he wanted.

Some insiders say this could hurt his chances with scouts who prioritize team-first mentality and respect for fellow players. Others say the incident will be forgotten — if Pavia backs it up with big performances.

🧨 Final Take: Motivation for the Vols

For Tennessee, this may be exactly the kind of bulletin-board material Coach Josh Heupel wants. The Vols, already looking to prove themselves after a transitional 2024 season, now have one more critic to silence — and if history is any indicator, they’ll be more than ready.

In the end, Diego Pavia may have just given the Vols an unnecessary enemy. And if Tennessee faces off against New Mexico State or sees him at the Senior Bowl next year, you can bet they won’t forget.

Stay tuned. This story just got personal.

Inphomar