UPDATE: As of April 25, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET, Diego Pavia went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, closing out a surprising three-day wait for the former Vanderbilt quarterback. Despite finishing as the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up and leading the Commodores to a 10-win season, Pavia was not selected amid ongoing concerns about his size and NFL fit. He now becomes eligible to sign with any team as an undrafted free agent, while also becoming the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2014.
The original story is below.
Diego Pavia is still waiting.
After two nights of the 2026 NFL Draft, the former Vanderbilt quarterback remains undrafted, making him the last Heisman finalist from this year’s class still on the board heading into the final rounds on April 25.
Pavia’s wait has become one of the more interesting subplots of draft weekend. He entered the draft with major college production, national recognition, and late interest from NFL teams, including the Carolina Panthers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently wrote that “some teams are taking a closer look,” noting that Carolina brought Pavia in for a visit and that other teams had been doing their own homework on him.
Schefter also wrote, “Expect his name to be called this weekend,” giving Pavia a public vote of confidence before the draft began.
Through three rounds, however, that call has not come.
Meanwhile, Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love came off the board at No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals.
Other quarterbacks have also started moving, including Miami’s Carson Beck to Arizona in Round 3 and Penn State’s Drew Allar to Pittsburgh later in the same round.
Pavia’s draft profile has always been complicated. NFL.com gave him a 5.95 prospect grade, placing him in the range of an average backup or possible special teams contributor.
That grade reflects the same concerns that have followed him throughout the process: size, arm talent, and how his game translates against NFL defenses.
Pavia has pushed back directly on the size conversation. “The guys that I’m playing every single Saturday are the guys you’re drafting first round,” he said. “So why does 5-10 even really matter? Go watch the tape.”
Pavia was the SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024 and finished as the Heisman runner-up in 2025 after throwing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 862 yards and 10 more scores.
Before Vanderbilt, Pavia played at New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State.
