Diego Pavia’s college football career, for all of the on-field successes, was heavily marked by challenges and conflict, and his transition to the pros is beginning in much the same way.
Pavia, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting last year behind winner Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, was not selected in the now-completed NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Previously projected as a potential pick in either the second or third days of the three-day event, Pavia became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014.
After that, Pavia also did not garner any initial contract with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent, despite numerous other players signing such deals after the draft’s seventh round wrapped up on Saturday.
Across four seasons at New Mexico State and then Vanderbilt, Pavia put up plenty of wins and gaudy statistics, including a 2025 run with the Commodores that included 4,402 total yards to lead all Power Four conference players, and a 10-win campaign that included victories over four ranked opponents.
Underlying Reasons
Two key issues, however, are thought to be working against Pavia in his pursuit of an NFL career.
The first is his age. Pavia turned 24 in February, as he played junior college at the New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to New Mexico State in 2022. That prior history has reared its head in a legal battle in which Pavia alleges that the NCAA violates antitrust law by claiming his years in college football count against his overall eligibility.
Pavia gained a waiver to play for Vanderbilt last year, but he remains more than 19 months older than Mendoza and is similarly advanced in age compared to other rookie quarterbacks—raising questions about his potential ceiling in the NFL.
The second key issue is his height. Vanderbilt officially listed Pavia at an even 6 feet tall. League measurements at the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, however, measured Pavia at 5 feet, 10 and one-eighth inches. That height, as well as below-average arm measurements, would make him among the smallest NFL quarterbacks in recent memory.
While other shorter quarterbacks, such as Kyler Murray and Bryce Young, became No. 1 draft picks, they also had other skills, such as extreme speed and throwing ability, to help overcome the relative lack of height. Pavia, despite his history of on-field success, does not overindex in the same way.
Ten other quarterbacks were selected in the NFL Draft, including Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and the Rams’ shocking selection of Alabama’s Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.
University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders made a public show of support for Pavia after the draft, writing in a social media post, “I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN! Stay strong and don’t let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget. Much Love & God bless you.”
