Heisman finalist to undrafted free agent: Diego Pavia’s draft stock explained – NMSU Round Up

The NFL draft concluded just weeks ago, and many college players heard their names called, signed rookie contracts and began preparing for the 2026 season. However, former Aggie Diego Pavia became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to go undrafted. 
Pavia later signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, but the outcome fell short of expectations entering draft weekend. What went wrong for the 5-foot-10 quarterback? His draft slide had little to do with on-field ability and more to do with concerns about his personality. 
Pavia was a zero-star recruit with no Division I offers out of high school. The New Mexico native began at New Mexico Military Institute, where he led the program to a junior college national championship. He later joined Jerry Kill at New Mexico State and produced two standout seasons as the starting quarterback. 
His accomplishments included a win in the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl and a 10-win season in 2023. That year featured a 31-10 upset over the Auburn Tigers and a conference championship appearance against the Liberty Flames. After that breakout, Pavia followed Kill to Vanderbilt University, a program that has historically struggled in the SEC. Pavia’s first season at Vanderbilt was underwhelming for the team, but he quickly drew national attention for his physical, high-energy style of play. His dual-threat ability challenged defenses, including in a signature 40-35 win over the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. 
The 2025 season elevated his profile even further. Pavia finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, one of college football’s highest honors. Despite those accolades, he went undrafted, which many linked to his comments and behavior during the postseason and pre-draft process. 
After finishing second in Heisman voting, Pavia responded with an expletive directed at voters. The reaction drew criticism and raised questions about his maturity. During the pre-draft process, he made additional bold statements, including claiming he had the best arm in the class. He also dismissed concerns about his height and chose not to hire an agent, saying he did not want anyone to take his money. 
Pavia’s talent is evident, but NFL teams also evaluate leadership, coachability, and professionalism. His situation draws comparisons to Johnny Manziel, whose career was derailed in part by off-field concerns. In contrast, quarterbacks such as Drew Brees and Andrew Luck built reputations on leadership and discipline. He is currently on pace to be remembered more as a childish egomaniac rather than a great football player 
Pavia now has an opportunity to reshape his trajectory with Baltimore. He can learn behind Lamar Jackson and compete for a roster spot. Whether he adapts or continues down the same path will likely determine the course of his professional career. 
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