Diego Pavia, recognized as one of college football’s most contentious figures in recent times, did not get chosen during the 2026 NFL Draft.
This ex-JUCO, New Mexico State, and Vanderbilt signal-caller marked the first instance of a Heisman Trophy contender not being drafted since Jordan Lynch, a quarterback from Northern Illinois, missed selection in the 2014 draft.
After Saturday’s draft concluded, Pavia failed to secure a contract with any NFL franchise as an undrafted free agent. Reports indicate he met with the Carolina Panthers prior to the draft, yet no other pre-draft meetings became public.
The most recent Heisman recipient to remain unpicked was Oklahoma’s quarterback, Jason White. The victor of the 2003 Heisman continued playing college football for an additional year prior to his non-selection in the 2005 NFL Draft.
A widely shared interview segment featuring Jon Gruden from earlier this spring created an impression among some that Pavia had not engaged an agent for the pre-draft period.
“I felt it was unjust for an individual to represent me and claim 5 to 10 percent,” Pavia communicated to Gruden. “No one is getting a cut of my earnings.”
Nevertheless, that conversation pertained to Pavia’s Name, Image, and Likeness funds received at Vanderbilt. Malki Kawa has stated his representation of Pavia, and NFL agent fees are capped at three percent.
Clubs demonstrating an interest in Pavia have not been disclosed thus far. The Panthers might plausibly be among these. Other organizations potentially willing to gamble on Pavia as a third-string quarterback might encompass the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions.
Deion Sanders, the head coach for Colorado, expressed his backing for Pavia in the aftermath of the NFL Draft.
“MY FRIEND, I HAVE FAITH IN YOU!” Sanders posted on X. “Maintain your resolve and persist.”
Pavia’s standing and candid nature might have negatively affected his draft prospects
At 24 years old, Pavia secured the second-place position for the Heisman Trophy at Vanderbilt last year, trailing then-Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and surpassing then-Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love; Mendoza and Love subsequently became the first and third overall selections in this year’s draft. However, his response to not winning college football’s most esteemed accolade further damaged his already disputed image.
Pavia, an audacious competitor who admired Johnny Manziel and carried a significant chip on his shoulder despite his modest 5-foot-10 stature, shared an Instagram update from comedian Theo Von on his Instagram story, appending the text, “Forget all the voters yet … family always.”
He subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging that Mendoza was “a worthy recipient of the honor.” Furthermore, in the apologetic message Pavia shared online, he highlighted the constant skepticism he had faced throughout his life.
“At each stage of my path, I’ve had to overcome barriers and advocate for myself, having understood that achievements wouldn’t simply be granted,” he articulated then.
Pavia was compelled to contend for an additional year of eligibility to sustain the athletic program’s revitalization he began at Vanderbilt. Eventually, a federal magistrate in Tennessee issued an injunction, permitting Pavia to participate in a sixth college football season following his lawsuit against the NCAA. Pavia asserted that the association infringed upon antitrust legislation by factoring his junior college tenure into his NCAA eligibility period, thus impacting his capacity to generate income from his name, image, and likeness.
This judicial decision created widespread consequences across the collegiate athletic environment, especially concerning NCAA eligibility criteria.
As a high school prospect, Pavia received little recognition. He emerged from Volcano Vista in New Mexico without any FBS scholarship offers. Remaining within his home state, he spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons attending a junior college, the New Mexico Military Institute.
During his time there, he secured an NJCAA Division I national championship, drawing the attention of the New Mexico State coaching staff, including then-Aggies offensive coordinator Tim Beck, who would later become Pavia’s offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt.
In his sophomore year with New Mexico State, Pavia guided the Aggies to a 10-5 overall standing — a feat the program hadn’t achieved a 10-victory season since its 11-0 run in 1960 — and garnered Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year accolades.
Beck, Pavia, and Eli Stowers all transferred to Vanderbilt simultaneously; Stowers developed into an outstanding tight end whom the Philadelphia Eagles subsequently acquired for their pass-catching unit in the second round of the current year’s draft.
During his initial campaign with the Commodores, Pavia became widely recognized. He captured attention on October 5, 2024, accumulating over 300 offensive yards and propelling a 40-35 victory against then-ranked No. 1 Alabama. To clarify, he assisted Vanderbilt in defeating the Crimson Tide for the first time in four decades and securing its inaugural triumph over a top-five adversary.
In that specific year, the Commodores concluded with a 7-6 record, marking their first season with more wins than losses since 2013. By way of comparison, Vanderbilt had accumulated a total of 12 victories across the preceding five seasons, spanning from 2019 to 2023.
Pavia performed exceptionally well for Vanderbilt in 2025
Pavia elevated his performance in 2025. Rather than being overwhelmed by intense scrutiny, he flourished under increased public interest. In the most recent season, Pavia claimed the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award. Among all eligible SEC quarterbacks, he led with a personal-best 29 touchdown throws and an impressive 70.6% completion rate. He limited his interceptions to just eight, and his total touchdown count reached 39, including ten rushing scores.
Known as a powerful runner who compensated for his relatively shorter height with a robust physique and daring approach, Pavia amassed a minimum of 800 rushing yards in each of his last three collegiate campaigns.
Due to the specific configuration of Vanderbilt’s calendar, their sequence of opponents lacked the difficulty necessary to grant the Commodores’ inaugural 10-victory season an entry into the College Football Playoff. Nevertheless, Pavia’s influence on a team previously seen as the SEC’s weakest link remains irrefutable.
Pavia does not possess the archetypal physical dimensions typically expected of an NFL quarterback. While his vertical measurement aligns with Kyler Murray and Bryce Young, he does not exhibit the same level of explosive athleticism or refined passing ability that characterized those two players as they transitioned from Oklahoma and Alabama.
Pavia’s collegiate film provided captivating viewing: occasionally stunning, at times surprising, yet consistently engaging. He is a fierce competitor who is authentically himself. Should he aspire to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, he will probably need to embrace a less prominent position while vying for a higher rank within the quarterback unit with more discretion than his customary approach.
