Vanderbilt football quarterback Diego Pavia is still without an NFL home after not being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Former NFL punter turned ESPN pundit Pat McAfee posted on X on April 26 that the UFL should be an option for Pavia.
“I think a lot of what made him fantastic for College was also gonna be what held him back as an NFL ‘prospect’ –Size, speed, style of play, personality — you name it, all of it PERFECT for college, not necessarily the prototypical NFL ‘prospect’,” McAfee tweeted. “If he gets in a building and finds success I’d be pumped for him and his family. Now, if it doesn’t work out, is he not the UFL QB blueprint?”
Responding to a question about the potential timing, McAfee doubled down: “That’s what I’m wondering — can we get him out there next weekend?”
Pavia was a 2025 Heisman finalist after leading Vanderbilt to a 10-2 regular-season record. Pavia led the two-year program revolution in Nashville with a unique play style and personality.
But as McAfee tweeted, Pavia’s size (5-foot-10, 207 pounds) and play style isn’t the NFL prototype for a quarterback, as well as his exuberant personality.
McAfee isn’t the only former player considering Pavia’s future. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci had a similar thought, comparing Pavia to 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie who starred in the CFL in between NFL stints as an undersized-but-talented QB.
