Diego Pavia Responds to Viral “Ant-Sledgehammer” Quote

Earlier in June, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams went viral for his comments on the upcoming Alabama-Vanderbilt game on October 4.

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Williams told former NFL head coach Jon Gruden that Alabama's goal going into the game was to "Kill an ant with a sledgehammer." The answer sparked a response from the Alabama fanbase, hoping to see the Crimson Tide dominate once again on the gridiron.

On Monday at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Georgia, I asked Pavia about Williams' comments. While Pavia didn't stoke the flames any more than he already has, his answer conveys a stoic confidence in Vanderbilt this upcoming season.

"Obviously, he's a great competitor," Pavia said. "The kid has a naturally talented gift from God. So, I'll be excited to play him in his home stadium."

Pavia orchestrated the biggest upset in college football last season as Vanderbilt downed the Crimson Tide in Nashville 40-35. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for another 56 yards, including the game-clinching conversion on 2nd and 7 to seal the deal.

That game still stings in the minds of Alabama football players and fans, with Ryan Williams providing the viral quote to Jon Gruden last month.

"We don't call the revenge games, Williams said. "We gonna kill an ant with a sledgehammer this year. Every game we fell short last year, we definitely got red eyes going into them."

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.