Sam Brumfield saw enough of Diego Pavia in junior college in the 2021 NCJAA national semifinals, watching as his Northwest Mississippi Community College squad lost to the quarterback’s New Mexico Military group 49-30.

So he already knew what he’d be up against last year with Middle Tennessee when Pavia and New Mexico State hosted the Blue Raiders in a more low-scoring 13-7 Aggies win.

“He’s one hell of an athlete, one good quarterback and he does a great job extending plays,” Brumfield said this week as the two well-traveled players prepare for Round 3 when Virginia Tech plays at Vanderbilt on Saturday.  “He doesn’t mind running the ball and getting extra yards. He’s physical, he’s tough and he’s a really good player.”

Ask anyone in the Hokies defensive room about Pavia and they gush with respect for last year’s Conference USA Player of the Year, who threw for 2,915 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 851 yards and six scores on the ground. 

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