Diego Pavia
NFL quarterback. 2025 Vanderbilt starter, Heisman finalist. Currently without an NFL team after Ravens waived him pre-training camp.
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Age: 24
- College: Vanderbilt (2025 starter, Heisman runner-up)
2026 Outlook
Pavia led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 season in 2025 with 3,539 passing yards and 862 rushing yards, finishing as the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up—the first Heisman finalist in 12 years to go undrafted. He finished second in voting behind Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent in April but waived him on July 24 ahead of training camp to make room for signing center Ethan Pocic. His low height (5-foot-10) and prior maturity concerns (criticized voters after the Heisman Trophy ceremony, posting "F-all the voters" on Instagram) have limited NFL interest.
Post-waiver options (July 24): With Pavia now in the NFL waiver system, several paths remain: (1) NFL opportunity — If unclaimed on waivers, injuries could open a door for Pavia to participate in a training camp as an extra arm, giving him a chance to earn a 53-man roster spot or practice squad position. NFL rosters won't be cut to 53-man squad until Aug. 30, leaving time for another opportunity. (2) CFL — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold his negotiating rights and have made clear interest in signing him. (3) UFL (spring league) — The UFL has shown cryptic social-media interest (retweting Pavia's Ravens waiver announcement with eyes emoji), suggesting openness to signing notable QB prospects. (4) College eligibility attempt — While Pavia doesn't fit the NCAA's new eligibility rule (turned 20 before his four-year college career), he could theoretically sue for another season given his path (two junior-college years + four NCAA years), but hasn't signed a significant bonus or received game checks with the Ravens, making such an attempt theoretically viable though unlikely to succeed.
Personality and skill assessment: Pavia remains competitive and his skillset is "too good not to be valued at some level of pro competition," though NFL teams have moved on due to size and development concerns. Comparable precedents include recent UFL graduates like KaVontae Turpin, Brandon Aubrey, and Harrison Mevis who successfully transitioned to professional leagues outside the NFL (per NFL competitor already has its eyes on Diego Pavia and What's next for Diego Pavia?).
Role / Depth Chart
Unlikely to start for any NFL team in 2026. Most realistic path: QB3 or spot on practice squad. May explore CFL or spring league options if NFL teams don't offer roster spots.
Recent News
- 2026-08-20 — What's stopping Diego Pavia from returning to college football as legal challenges to... (What's stopping Diego Pavia from returning to college football as legal challenges to...)
- 2026-08-20 — Recent legal developments could open the door for Diego Pavia to play college football... (Recent legal developments could open the door for Diego Pavia to play college football...)
- 2026-07-25 — 32 Teams Make Final Decision on Diego Pavia As Free Agent QB Hit With Another Setback... (32 Teams Make Final Decision on Diego Pavia As Free Agent QB Hit With Another Setback...)
- 2026-07-23 — Ravens Waive Diego Pavia Before Training Camp (Ravens Waive Diego Pavia Before Training Camp)
- 2026-07-24 — Ravens Waive Diego Pavia Before Training Camp (Ravens Waive Diego Pavia Before Training Camp)
- 2026-04-27 — Quarterback landing spots, 2026 NFL draft class rankings & Diego Pavia UDFA watch (Quarterback landing spots, 2026 NFL draft class rankings & Diego Pavia UDFA watch)
- 2026-07-24 — Controversial Quarterback Diego Pavia Cut by Baltimore Ravens Before Training Camp Begins (Controversial Quarterback Diego Pavia Cut by Baltimore Ravens Before Training Camp Begins)
- 2026-07-24 — NFL competitor already has its eyes on Diego Pavia (NFL competitor already has its eyes on Diego Pavia)
- 2026-07-24 — Diego Pavia's next move after Ravens release; 100 And 1 college basketball storylines (Diego Pavia's next move after Ravens release; 100 And 1 college basketball storylines)
- 2026-07-24 — What’s next for Diego Pavia? (What’s next for Diego Pavia?)
Open Questions
- Will any NFL team offer Pavia a roster spot, or does he end up in CFL/UFL?
- Can Pavia prove his NFL viability in a secondary role, or does his college success not translate to pro game?