What's next for Diego Pavia?

Diego Pavia's college football career has been marked by achievements and accolades. He played at New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt, where he continued to excel.

In 2023, Pavia was named the CUSA Offensive Player of the Year. His performance peaked in 2025 when he was a Heisman Trophy finalist, ultimately finishing 2nd in the Heisman voting.

That same year, he also earned the title of SEC Offensive Player of the Year, solidifying his status as one of the top players in college football. Pavia's journey reflects a remarkable rise, but the unexpected turn of events has left fans questioning what lies ahead for the quarterback.

Despite a stellar college career, Diego Pavia faced a shocking setback when he was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first Heisman finalist since 2013 to go undrafted. This outcome is particularly surprising given that Pavia was projected as the No.

10 quarterback in the 2026 class and received a third-round tag from NFL Draft Buzz. His impressive accolades, including a second-place finish in the Heisman voting and recognition as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, highlighted his potential.

As Pavia navigates this unexpected chapter, he will need to leverage his past performances to secure a spot on an NFL roster.

During his college career, Diego Pavia ranked sixth in program history with 39 passing touchdowns and 20th with 13 rushing touchdowns. He completed 189 of 323 passing attempts, demonstrating a completion rate of approximately 58.5%.

Pavia's standout performance included a career-high of 484 passing yards in a single game, underscoring his ability to make plays under pressure. These statistics not only highlight his proficiency as a passer but also his versatility as a runner.

As he transitions to the NFL, these numbers will be pivotal in shaping his future opportunities.

Diego Pavia's NFL draft experience took a hit when he was waived by the Ravens before training camp (F001). Officially measuring in at 5'10 1/8 (F005), Pavia's physical attributes may have contributed to his draft projection, which was set at Round 7 or as an undrafted free agent (F017).

Despite a decorated college career, including accolades like the CUSA Offensive Player of the Year, his size and the competitive quarterback landscape likely influenced teams' decisions. As he seeks to carve out a professional career, Pavia's next steps will be crucial in determining whether he can overcome these challenges.

Diego Pavia, born on February 16, 2002, in Albuquerque, NM, now faces a pivotal moment in his football career after being waived by the Ravens. At 5'10 1/8, his height may have played a role in his undrafted status, despite being projected as the No.

10 quarterback in the 2026 class. With a college record of 39 passing touchdowns and a completion rate of approximately 58.5%, Pavia must leverage these statistics to attract interest from other NFL teams.

His next steps will be critical in determining if he can translate his college success into a professional opportunity.