Diego Pavia Finds Opportunity with Baltimore Ravens
Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback known for his polarizing presence, went undrafted this weekend despite finishing as a runner-up in last season’s Heisman voting. However, according to various reports, he has accepted an invitation to participate in the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
As of now, he isn’t on the team’s roster, but this is a potential stepping stone for him as he works to secure a spot in the NFL. It’s worth noting that Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, currently holds the starting quarterback position, yet there’s always a chance for Pavia to make an impression and earn an invite to training camp later this summer.
Pavia’s absence from the draft was somewhat unexpected, marking a rare occurrence where a Heisman finalist—since 2014—wasn’t selected. Throughout the last season, he set school records with 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, earned the SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award, and received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He played a crucial role in leading the Commodores to their first-ever 10-win season, finishing 10-3 overall.
Despite his impressive statistics, Pavia ultimately lost the Heisman trophy to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was the top overall pick in this year’s draft, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders. Many may wonder what led to Pavia not being drafted. While his on-field abilities are evident, his official height at the NFL Scouting Combine certainly raised eyebrows. Listed at 6 feet during his college career, he measured at just 5 feet 9 7/8 inches, making him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he were to play today. For context, the average height for NFL quarterbacks hovers around 6 feet 2 inches.
Even so, shorter quarterbacks like Kyler Murray, who is 5 feet 10 inches and was a number one pick in 2019, have found success in the league.
Pavia has openly addressed concerns over his height, stating at the Senior Bowl, “Yes, my size has been in question all my life. I think all the NFL cares about is if we can win, and I consider myself a winner.” He expressed gratitude for the strong teams he has been part of throughout his career.
He also acknowledges his ability to connect with teammates, which he considers a key strength. However, Pavia’s personality has sometimes been seen as more brash than merely confident. After finishing second in the Heisman vote, he was spotted in a nightclub next to a sign that read “F— Indiana” and later posted a somewhat controversial photo on social media regarding Heisman voters.
No matter the backdrop, Pavia now has a chance to prove himself with the Ravens under new head coach Jesse Minter. He hopes to do enough in minicamp to join the quarterback lineup, which also includes Tyler “Snoop” Huntley alongside Jackson. The coming days will be crucial for him, and everyone will be watching to see how this plays out.
