Diego Pavia played big in the biggest moments on the football field. But the Vanderbilt quarterback came up short in the first step of his NFL journey.
Pavia measured at 5-9 7/8 inches at the Senior Bowl on Monday, Jan. 26. Vanderbilt listed the Heisman Trophy runner-up at 6-0 on its website.
It’s not unusual for teams to exaggerate player measurements, in fact, it’s rather commonplace. But one of the key concerns about Pavia as a pro is his height — or lack thereof.
Pavia, who turns 24 on Feb. 16, led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record this season, passing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushing for 862 yards with 10 more touchdowns.
“Whoever takes me (in the NFL) and takes a chance on me will get everything I’ve got,” Pavia said after Vanderbilt’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Iowa.
NFL scouts will get a close look at Pavia this week in Mobile, Alabama at Senior Bowl practices and this Saturday’s game. Then comes the NFL Scouting Combine and team interviews, which will likely be just as important as his tape and measurements after his post-Heisman outburst may have turned off some NFL personnel.
“Whatever you need done,” Pavia told The Tennessean. “I will do it. I’m the type of guy that if my teammate needs something, I’ll be there. If my coach needs something, I’ll be there. I don’t care who you are or where you came from. We believe relatedness is our edge, and I’ll carry that with me wherever I go.”
The Tennessean’s Gentry Estes contributed to this story.
