Diego Pavia is headed to Baltimore to begin his NFL career.
The former Vanderbilt football star, who was not taken in the NFL draft April 23-25 , has signed a three-year deal with the Ravens, per a report April 28 from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pavia was originally invited to attend rookie minicamp in hopes of earning a roster spot.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said he was “excited for (Pavia) and for Baltimore.”
The 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up led the Commodores to a 10-3 overall record last season. He threw for 3,539 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 167 times for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns, ultimately being named SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
Pavia entered the NFL draft and became the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch wasn’t selected in 2014. Now the uncertainty surrounding Pavia’s future subsides slightly as he joins two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson in the Ravens’ quarterback room ahead of the season.
Pavia’s path to the NFL began in 2024, as he announced his transfer to Vanderbilt after two seasons at New Mexico State. He began lighting up FirstBank Stadium on a weekly basis, bringing the Commodores to consecutive bowl game appearances while hitting 10 wins for the first time in program history last season.
Pavia declared for the NFL draft following the conclusion of last season, with many draft analysts projecting him to be selected in final two rounds or sign as an undrafted free agent. Pavia was not selected, despite 10 other quarterbacks having their name called, including SEC counterparts Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Arkansas’s Taylen Green and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Pavia’s collegiate production was undeniable, but questions have been raised about how his arm strength and size — standing at 5-foot-10 — will translate to the next level.
Along with Jackson and Pavia, the Ravens’ roster includes last year’s backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. And Ian Rapoport reported on April 28 that former UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano had signed a three-year deal with Baltimore.
The Ravens’ recently hired coach, Jesse Minter, has his own ties to Vanderbilt, having worked as defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2021 for Lea.
Even before Pavia signed with the Ravens, Lea was confident his former star would find a home in the NFL, having been a first-hand witness to Pavia’s unlikely ascent with the Commodores.
“What Diego has accomplished as a member of our program is undeniable, and those who know him best also know that his impact extends far beyond his performance on the field,” Lea said in an April 27 statement. “Diego has been counted out his entire career, and has proven doubters wrong every step of the way.
“I am excited to watch him write his next chapter with the same tools he has used to get to this point. Not only does everyone here at Vanderbilt believe in Diego, we all expect to see him have a successful career in the NFL.”
Harrison Campbell can be reached at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
