Quinn Ewers vs Diego Pavia: Which SEC QB is better? Closer look at Week 9 face-off
In one of the most unlikely matchups of ranked teams, No. 5 Texas (6-1) will face No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2) this weekend. But the secondary showdown is just as unlikely: QBs Quinn Ewers and Diego Pavia.
One is a top recruit, a blueblood player on his second massive program. The other has traveled the back roads of college football. Here is the breakdown of who has the edge in this player battle.
Quinn Ewers vs. Diego Pavia
The recruiting story
Ewers was the top-ranked overall player in the 2021 recruiting class per 247sports. That's not just quarterbacks; that's all players. Ewers picked Ohio State in Aug. 2021. He saw the field in one game with the Buckeyes but didn't throw a pass. In Dec. 2021, Ewers entered the transfer portal and chose Texas for his second collegiate home, a decision that has yielded significantly more results.
Meanwhile, Pavia was a non-recruit out of New Mexico. He went to junior college at New Mexico Military Institute. Pavia was then a two-star JUCO recruit by New Mexico State. It was a long path that wasn't headed anywhere.
Prior Seasons
Quinn Ewers immediately became a starter at Texas. The Horns were 8-5 in 2022, and he had an up-and-down season, passing for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Southlake native sustained an injury that kept him out for a few games.
In 2023, Ewers upped his game substantially. He threw for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns. Texas, of course, reached the College Football Playoff in a 12-2 season.
On the other hand, Pavia played two seasons at NMSU, steadily improving. In 2022, he threw for 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also led the Aggies to just their second bowl since 1960 with a 7-6 season.
In 2023, New Mexico State went 10-5 under Jerry Kill and reached another bowl. Pavia threw 2,973 yards and registered 26 touchdowns while rushing for 923 more yards. He, Kill, and OC Tim Beck headed to Vandy.
2024 season
Pavia has had a better 2024 season. Ewers did miss two games due to an abdominal strain, but despite being part of a cast of all-world talent, Ewers's star has shined a bit less brightly than Pavia.
Ewers holds a slim edge in the competition percentage, 68.2% to 66.2%. The remaining comparisons are easy because the two have thrown almost the same number of passes - Pavia with 154 and Ewers with 151. Pavia has gained more yardage, 1,391 to 1,101. Both passers have thrown for 11 touchdowns, but Pavia has thrown one interception, and Ewers has thrown four.
Then there's the rushing edge. Pavia has rushed 118 times for 470 yards and three touchdowns. Ewers has 16 carries for -30 yards, most of those being sacks. Pavia is 7th in the SEC in rushing yardage, and Ewers has negative yardage.
Who's been better?
Ewers certainly hasn't had a bad season. However, his abdominal injury impacted him, and thus, Arch Manning became more explosive than Ewers. Of course, his team is almost a shoo-in for the College Football Playoff.
But Pavia is having a game-changing season. Clark Lea was probably headed out of the Vanderbilt job until Pavia single-handedly turned around the program. Pavia's performance against Alabama was one of the most memorable moments of the season, and at this point, he gets the edge over Ewers.
Advantage: Diego Pavia
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