Trending Now - Diego Pavia Faces Harsh Truths Ahead of NFL Draft, Says Bayless
WHO:
Fox News - Diego Pavia, a quarterback from Vanderbilt University, was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
The Big Lead - Skip Bayless, a sportscaster and Vanderbilt alum, commented on Pavia's situation.
WHAT:
Fox News - Diego Pavia was the first Heisman Trophy finalist in more than 10 years to go unselected in the NFL Draft.
The Big Lead - Pavia was named a First-Team All-American.
The Big Lead - Vanderbilt finished the season with a 10-3 record and nearly made the College Football Playoff.
Fox News - Pavia's performance included leading Vanderbilt to a 6-2 SEC record and victories over Alabama and Texas.
Fox News - Diego Pavia went undrafted in the NFL Draft and received an invite to the Baltimore Ravens camp.
The Big Lead - Pavia was the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014.
Fox News - Pavia had 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns during the season.
The Big Lead - Pavia led Vanderbilt to a 10-2 regular season and earned First-Team All-SEC honors.
WHERE:
Fox News - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
The Big Lead - Baltimore Ravens camp.
WHEN:
Fox News - Pavia participated in pro day at Vanderbilt University on March 20, 2026.
The Big Lead - Pavia's notable game against Louisiana State University occurred on October 18, 2025.
The Big Lead - Pavia celebrated a touchdown against Auburn on November 8, 2025.
WHY:
Fox News - Concerns about Pavia's off-field issues and personality were cited as factors in his not being drafted.
Fox News - Pavia's size (5-10) and perceived professionalism issues were cited as reasons for not being drafted.
The Big Lead - Concerns about Pavia's physical attributes and off-field issues outweighed his on-field production in the eyes of NFL decision-makers.
HOW:
The Big Lead - Pavia ultimately accepted a rookie minicamp tryout with the Baltimore Ravens, a route typically reserved for long-shot prospects, not Heisman finalists.
Fox News - Pavia accepted a rookie minicamp tryout with the Baltimore Ravens, a route typically reserved for long-shot prospects.
(UPDATED April 28, 2026 19:25 UTC)
In a surprising turn of events, Diego Pavia became the first Heisman Trophy finalist in over a decade to go unselected in the NFL Draft, despite being named a First-Team All-American and leading Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record with notable victories over Alabama and Texas. Concerns regarding Pavia's off-field issues and personality were cited as factors in this unexpected outcome. Now, he has accepted a rookie minicamp tryout with the Baltimore Ravens, a path usually taken by long-shot prospects rather than Heisman finalists.
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(UPDATED April 28, 2026 11:32 UTC)
Diego Pavia, a standout quarterback from Vanderbilt University, has made headlines as a Heisman Trophy finalist but went undrafted in the NFL Draft, ultimately receiving an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens camp. Pavia, who threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns during the season, is the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2014, with concerns about his size and off-field issues influencing NFL teams' decisions. He participated in a pro day at Vanderbilt on March 20, 2026, and will now pursue his football dreams through a rookie minicamp tryout with the Ravens.