Diego Pavia Begins NFL Journey with Ravens After Undrafted Heisman Finalist Snub
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has embarked on his NFL career by accepting a rookie minicamp invitation from the Baltimore Ravens on a tryout basis, as reported by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Pavia made history as the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since 2014. Despite a stellar collegiate career, he was ranked as CBS Sports' No. 377 overall prospect and the No. 18 quarterback in this draft class. Highlights of Pavia's college career include: Winning the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. Leading the Commodores to their first 10-win season in school history. Setting single-season records for passing yards (3,539) and passing touchdowns (29). Averaging 338.5 yards of total offense per game, second in the FBS. Despite his achievements, Pavia faced challenges during the draft process. Although officially listed at 6 feet, he measured just 5-foot-9 ⅞ inches at the NFL Scouting Combine, making him the shortest quarterback in the league. Additionally, at 24 years old, he began his college career in 2020, which raised concerns among scouts. Pavia's demeanor has also attracted attention. He acknowledged that his confidence can be misinterpreted as arrogance. Following his second-place finish in the Heisman voting, he made headlines for controversial social media posts, including one that led to an apology after he was seen at a New York club next to a sign reading, "F--- Indiana." As Pavia joins the Ravens, he aims to prove that his on-field skills can outweigh the narratives surrounding him.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-26