NFL DRAFT
Highly successful Vanderbilt, NMSU quarterback was not selected in the seven-round NFL draft
Diego Pavia is getting his shot.
The Albuquerque native and Heisman Trophy finalist has accepted an invite to the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp, per multiple reports Sunday.
The invitation came less than a day after Pavia was not selected in the NFL draft or signed as an undrafted free agent within hours of its conclusion. Despite earning All-SEC honors and being named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year last season at Vanderbilt, questions around his size and ability to adapt to more rigid NFL offenses are believed to have hindered his draft grade among clubs.
ESPN was the first to report Pavia’s invitation. The minicamp is scheduled for May 1-3 in Baltimore.
With 7,494 total yards and 67 touchdowns over his last two seasons at Vanderbilt, Pavia has been regarded as one of the best college quarterbacks in recent memory. He was not, however, a surefire draft prospect — at 5-foot-10, his height is well below NFL standard 6-3 at the position and the lowest of any quarterback in this draft class.
Pavia also played in a run-pass-option-oriented offense at Vanderbilt, one unlike much of what most NFL clubs run.
“Pavia has a skill set that is both unique and limited,” wrote Dane Brugler, a draft and prospect analyst for The Athletic. “He is accurate in the short-to-intermediate passing game (slants, digs, screens, outs), and his bulldog competitiveness is exceptional in all phases — especially as a runner. Moving the pocket and the quarterback run-game were staples of Vanderbilt’s scheme, and Pavia’s execution made it challenging to defend.
“But most NFL offenses are far more expansive, so his ‘backyard football’ style will catch up with him against NFL speed.”
Before receiving national recognition with the Commodores, Pavia led New Mexico State to consecutive bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023. The latter season saw the Aggies post a historic 10-5 record while Pavia earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors after passing for 2,973 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
A Volcano Vista High School graduate, Pavia was a highly successful prep wrestler but received minimal interest from schools as a football prospect. He started his college career at New Mexico Military Institute, leading the Broncos to a junior college national title in 2021.
Controversy has followed Pavia throughout his career. After finishing second to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in last year’s Heisman Trophy voting, he received criticism for posting an Instagram story captioned “F-All THE VOTERS,” one he apologized for shortly after.
“Being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor. As a competitor, just like in everything I do I wanted to win,” Pavia posted on X. “To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful. I didn’t handle those emotions well at all and did not represent myself the way I wanted to.”
Midway through his second year with NMSU, a video was released depicting Pavia urinating in rival New Mexico’s indoor practice facility prior to the season. Former Aggie head coach Jerry Kill did not let him speak to the media for the rest of the regular season, a silence he eventually broke in an interview with KVIA News Channel 7 (El Paso).
“When the thing happened, it was a big distraction to the team, so I apologized to the team,” Pavia said. “After that, I feel like we got even closer as a group and ever since we’ve been on a roll and playing really good football.”
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.
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