On July 14, Vanderbilt Football head coach Clark Lea took the stage at the annual SEC Media Days to discuss the state of his program. He was joined by Diego Pavia, Martel Hight and Randon Fontenette, three players set to make a significant impact this upcoming season. 

Lea opened the festivities with a nearly 15-minute opening statement, in which he covered improvements this offseason, position group adjustments and expectations for the season ahead.  

The Commodores had a stellar 2024 season, as they went 7-6 with a victory over Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl. It was Vanderbilt’s first winning season since 2013, and signature wins over several SEC foes, including then-No. 1 Alabama, showed signs of real progress for Lea and his staff. Now, Lea will embark on his fifth season as head coach at Vanderbilt and attempt to capitalize on this newfound momentum. 

“Ultimately, winning football is our focus,” Lea said. “It sets the course for everything we do as a program. Chasing progress best positions us to reach mission success. Simple to explain, [it] certainly will challenge us to our very core over the next six months.” 

Staying hungry 

Lea began his opening statement by underscoring that last year’s success does not guarantee anything this year. He emphasized that complacency is not accepted by his players or staff.  

“We are imperfect,” Lea said. “We’re a work in progress. There is so much learning in front of us.”

An array of close games last year was a sign to Lea that his team still had room to grow. While some games went the Commodores’ way, he realized that the narrative around his team could’ve completely changed had a few plays gone differently. 

“I don’t think I have to convince anyone in this room how hard it is to win,” Lea said. “We played eight games last season to one possession, one score. We were 4-4 in those games. With this in mind, we’re as close to 2-10 as we are to 10-2. This is our reality. As we strengthen, so too does our league. There is no easy pass.” 

Lea knows that his team can’t afford to put their guard down this year. But with the goal of constant refinement, great success can be achieved. The goal for this year isn’t just a bowl game, but an even deeper run at the highest postseason level. 

“For us this means embracing a process of continuous improvement that leads to us winning every game on our schedule,” Lea said. “We believe we have what it takes to play into January. We have to support our belief with a disciplined focus in the present. The burden of our goals is the pressure of knowing we can’t afford to have an off night. We can’t afford to have a lackluster effort or unfocused snap.” 

Despite these lofty goals, Lea understands that an insatiable hunger is needed for his team to succeed. 

“Vanderbilt Football is a chip-on-the-shoulder operation,” Lea said. “It’s home to a young, hungry [and] scrappy team that begins each day with something to prove. This is what makes us special. Not our buildings or banners. It’s our people.” 

A dynamic duo 

Pavia’s swagger last year captivated audiences around the nation. Unlike last year, the New Mexico native came to this year’s SEC Media Days as the team’s clear starting quarterback.  

“I don’t think there is anything left to be written about Diego Pavia,” Lea said. “He’s had such a profound impact on all aspects of our program. He’s an energy source for Vanderbilt University, for the Nashville community, and I think for college football fans everywhere.” 

His presence was felt at SEC Media Day this year too, as a swarm of journalists surrounded his small table. There’s no doubt he’s getting plenty of media attention, but he’s determined to prove it on the field.  

“I’ve got to be there for my teammates,” Pavia said. “They’ll expect a lot out of me this year. We can’t wait for this great season.”  

On December 18, 2024, U.S. District Judge William Campbell ordered a preliminary injunction for Pavia, granting him an additional year of eligibility to play NCAA football without penalty. He’s not planning to waste this opportunity, either. Lea believes this could be a defining year for Vanderbilt Football and Pavia.  

“He’s the ultimate competitor, and I think this fall is a great opportunity for him to cement his legacy with Vanderbilt football,” Lea said. 

But every Jordan needs his Pippen. For Vanderbilt Football, Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers form one of the greatest dynamic duos in college football. Stowers, a former quarterback at Texas A&M, is listed as the highest rated tight end in the country, according to PFF. He could’ve gone to the draft after this past season, but he opted to stick with Pavia and Lea in Nashville. His teammates and Lea were quick to point out his impact. 

“I think our willingness in the last couple years to really step up from an NIL standpoint and put the infrastructure in place to be competitive in the revenue sharing era allows us to bring a guy like Eli [Stowers] back,” Lea said. “He’s got such maturity about his process that complements physical skills that put him among the best of the best.”  

Pavia also believes it is Stowers’ quarterback experience which makes him such an easy target on the field. 

“What makes him the best tight end in the country is that he’s played quarterback before, so he knows the openings. He knows where to sit,” Pavia said. “He knows what’s open. He gets a pre-snap read. He’s just an all-around player.” 

Continuous improvement 

Lea made sure to highlight the improvements he feels his team needs to make this offseason. Pre- and post-snap penalties, third down defensive performance and forcing more turnovers were at the top of his list, giving Pavia more time and opportunities to work his magic. 

“For us on defense, better football exists in improving third down performance and generating more turnovers, both of which will allow our offense to possess the ball for more time,” Lea said. 

Steven Gregory was promoted to defensive coordinator in March and looks to build upon a defense that ranked 15th in the SEC in yards given up per play in 2024. Lea emphasized that he is a trusted partner that has the experience and knowledge to form one of the best defensive units in the country.  

“Even with the coordinator role change, there’s no system change,” Lea said. “Defense is about 11 guys working together. We need to play better on that side of the ball for our team to reach the goals that we have this season. We have the people to do it and the scheme to do it.” 

Lea believes that staying healthy and sustaining success will be key to this upcoming season. Director of football sports performance Robert Stiner has worked this offseason to build a team that can last through the toughest stretches of an SEC schedule.  

“We learned last year to win in November that we have to be better prepared mentally, physically and emotionally,” Lea said. “This starts with our approach to training and extends to our dedication outside of the building.” 

Similarly, Pavia’s health is of the utmost importance this season. He suffered repeated injuries in 2024, impacting his performance late in the season. Lea knows that he’ll need to be healthy for his team to succeed against the best competition.  

“Diego, we don’t talk about self-preservation, but we need to build ways in our system that do protect him, and I see that more as establishing a run game through the tailback,” Lea said. “We need him to take over the game at some point. The way he plays is the way he plays.”  

Lea knows challenges will arise in 2025, but his vision for the program remains steadfast.

“This fall is a great opportunity for our program to show that we’re one year closer to the vision we had when we started four years ago,” Lea said. “With that in mind, the opportunity is not the outcome. The burden of proof is on us.”