NFL
2026 NFL Draft
Diego Pavia operated an offense at Vanderbilt that led the nation with 7.5 yards per play in 2025. Kenneth Richmond / Imagn Images
Diego Pavia’s NFL journey will start with a tryout.
The Vanderbilt quarterback went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist not to be drafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014. A day later, he accepted an invitation to attend the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp next Saturday, a team source confirmed to The Athletic. Pavia will join Connecticut quarterback Joe Fagnano, who also accepted a Ravens minicamp invite.
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Known for his ultra-competitive and unapologetic personality, Pavia carried Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season in 2025. He was the school’s first Heisman trophy finalist and finished second in voting (1,435 points and 189 first-place votes) to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (2,362 points and 643 first-place votes). Mendoza was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday.
The New Mexico State transfer and former zero-star recruit who was a better wrestling prospect became one of college football’s biggest stars with his dual-threat playmaking in Vandy’s creative offense — and with his outspoken nature.
That bit him at times, in particular after posting “F-ALL THE VOTERS” on social media after coming up short for the Heisman. NFL executives might have cringed a bit upon discovering he’s tight with former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. Still, the larger takeaway from inside the Vanderbilt football building is that Pavia’s a true leader with limitless toughness. That will play in the NFL.
Will Pavia? He’s only 5-foot-10, and his arm is a question, though he took a jump as a senior and set Vandy single-season records for passing yards (3,539), passing touchdowns (29) and total offense (4,401). His story to date suggests doubters should keep an open mind. At the least, he’ll be a good guy to have in the building.
The last Heisman runner-up to go undrafted was Iowa quarterback Brad Banks in 2003. Banks signed with Washington after the draft, but was released shortly after and ended up playing a few seasons in the Canadian Football League.
Lynch, a quarterback out of Northern Illinois, finished third in Heisman voting behind runner-up A.J. McCarron (fifth-round pick) and winner Jameis Winston (first overall pick) in 2014. He signed with the Chicago Bears after the 2014 draft, but was released before the season. He played two seasons in the Canadian Football League before retiring.
Pavia was ranked as the No. 16 quarterback in this class by Dane Brugler. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“Pavia is a gamer, with the confidence and mobility that have elevated every offense he has been on, but his lack of size and arm strength is tough to overcome. He has NFL backup potential for an RPO-based offense — and for a play caller willing to limit the menu.”
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