Diego Pavia first undrafted Heisman finalist in 12 years: Live updates from 2026 NFL Draft tracker

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia amassed a combined 4,401 yards both through the air and on the ground in the 2025 season. The Heisman Trophy runner-up scored nearly 40 combined touchdowns. A 170-season rating average and nearly 71% completions should have him firmly in the top 100.

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However, there are several factors that work against Pavia. Vanderbilt listed him as 6’0. While that’s respectable, it falls short of what NFL teams are looking for. That became an even bigger concern when he measured 5’9″ 7/8″ at the Senior Bowl. Excluding Kyler Murray’s NFL Rookie of the Year season, there hasn’t been a “successful” NFL quarterback under 5-foot-10 since 2000.

Despite the concern about size, there is a concern about skill set. What Pavia did at Vanderbilt may work in the college game, but it has very little success at the NFL level. Too many big plays off the shelf, relies too much on his legs and is not viewed as a quarterback who can stand up and execute from the pocket.

Then there are the off-field antics. Pavia is making the same mistakes that Shedeur Sanders and others have made of late. He’s trying to create draft action that no one else agrees with. He has been dismissive of the talent level of other players. He confirmed to Jon Gruden that he would not hire an agent.

Diego Pavía live updates and social media reactions

April 25

Pavia ends the night and has not signed with any NFL team