Diego Pavia has his next opportunity.
Just days after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, the former Vanderbilt quarterback has accepted an invitation to attend rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The tryout gives Pavia a chance to compete for a roster spot as he looks to extend his professional football career.
Pavia is expected to enter camp as part of a group of quarterbacks vying for a developmental role. He’ll be competing alongside Connecticut quarterback Joe Fagnano during the minicamp, with the Ravens evaluating options for depth behind their current group. Baltimore did not select a quarterback during the draft, leaving room for competition at the position heading into offseason workouts.
The Ravens’ quarterback room is led by Lamar Jackson, with Tyler Huntley also on the roster—both known for mobility and playmaking ability outside the pocket. Pavia’s dual-threat style aligns with that approach, giving him a system that mirrors some of what made him effective at the college level.
Pavia’s résumé remains one of the more unusual stories in this year’s class. He finished the 2025 season as the Heisman Trophy runner-up after leading Vanderbilt to a 10–3 record, throwing 29 touchdown passes and adding 10 more on the ground.
He was also named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Despite that production, he became the first Heisman finalist since 2014 to go undrafted.
Concerns around measurables and projection played a role in that outcome. Pavia entered the draft at 5-foot-10 and 207 pounds, and evaluators questioned how his game would translate to the NFL.
Throughout the process, he pushed back on those concerns, saying, “The guys that I’m playing every single Saturday are the guys you’re drafting first round… so why does 5-10 even really matter? Go watch the tape.”
His path to this moment has already included more than just on-field headlines. Pavia has been a central figure in ongoing NCAA eligibility challenges, filing lawsuits over how junior college seasons are counted and seeking additional years of college football.
