Few college football stories are as strange as Diego Pavia’s. The Vanderbilt quarterback was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024, yet he went undrafted and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent—only to be waived before training camp.
Birthdate: February 16, 2002 · College: Vanderbilt · Birthplace: Albuquerque, NM · NFL team: Baltimore Ravens (waived) · Draft status: Undrafted · Heisman finalist: Yes
Quick snapshot
- Born February 16, 2002(ESPN, sports network)
- Played at Vanderbilt in 2024(ESPN, sports network)
- Undrafted in 2025 NFL Draft(USA Today, national newspaper)
- Signed as undrafted free agent with Baltimore Ravens(Yahoo Sports, sports news)
- Waived by Ravens on July 23, 2026(ESPN, sports network)
- Eligibility for the 2026 season
- NIL earnings
- Ethnicity
- Height (not officially confirmed in provided sources)
- 2020–2021: JUCO at New Mexico Military Institute(ESPN, sports network)
- 2022–2023: New Mexico State(ESPN, sports network)
- 2024: Vanderbilt, Heisman finalist(ESPN, sports network)
- 2025 (spring): Undrafted(USA Today, national newspaper)
- 2025 (summer): Signed by Ravens, then waived(ESPN, sports network)
- Entered 24-hour waiver period after Ravens release(NBC Sports, sports media)
- If unclaimed, becomes free agent(USA Today, national newspaper)
- Potential interest from other NFL teams, CFL, UFL(USA Today, national newspaper)
Six facts about Diego Pavia, one pattern: his college path was unconventional, but his NFL entry was even more sudden.
The stats below frame the key data points for his career arc.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | February 16, 2002 |
| College | Vanderbilt |
| Birthplace | Albuquerque, NM |
| NFL team | Baltimore Ravens (waived) |
| Draft status | Undrafted |
| Heisman finalist | Yes |
Will Diego Pavia make it to the NFL?
What happened with the Ravens?
The The Athletic (sports journalism site) reported that the Ravens released the undrafted rookie quarterback days before training camp. ESPN (sports network) confirmed the move was made to clear a roster spot for veteran center Ethan Pocic. After the transaction, the Ravens had three quarterbacks on the roster: Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, and Joe Fagnano.
Pavia entered the NFL waiver system for a 24-hour period, as USA Today (national newspaper) explained. If he clears waivers, he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team.
Pavia went from Heisman finalist to undrafted free agent to waived before training camp in less than 12 months. The Ravens’ decision to sign a veteran center over a developmental QB shows how quickly roster math changes.
What are his chances of being picked up by another team?
After being waived, Pavia could be claimed by any NFL team during the waiver period. NBC Sports (sports media) noted that the waiver process gives teams a chance to add depth. If he clears, he becomes a free agent. USA Today (national newspaper) listed potential landing spots including the CFL and UFL. The implication: Pavia’s window is open, but NFL rosters are set, and he may need an alternative league to keep playing.
Why did Diego Pavia not get drafted?
What were his college stats?
Pavia played at New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt for the 2024 season. He led the Commodores to a winning record and was named a Heisman Trophy finalist. ESPN (sports network) reported that his eligibility for the 2026 season was upheld by a federal appeals panel after the NCAA’s appeal was dismissed as moot, according to Yahoo Sports (sports news).
What did scouts say about his draft projection?
Despite being a Heisman finalist, Pavia went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Yahoo Sports (sports news) noted that he was the first Heisman finalist since 2014 to go undrafted. Scouts reportedly had concerns about his size and arm strength, though no official draft evaluation was released. The trade-off: Heisman recognition doesn’t guarantee NFL interest, and Pavia’s late bloomer path didn’t fit typical draft profiles.
Does Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia have eligibility for the 2026 season?
What is the NCAA eligibility rule?
The NCAA granted a waiver in December 2024 for former junior-college players in situations similar to Pavia’s, as ESPN (sports network) reported. This waiver was part of the ongoing litigation over the NCAA’s eligibility rules.
How did Pavia’s JUCO transfer affect his eligibility?
Pavia played at New Mexico Military Institute (JUCO), then New Mexico State, and then Vanderbilt. His year of eligibility remaining is due to the JUCO years and a COVID-19 waiver. ESPN (sports network) reported that a federal appeals panel upheld his eligibility after the NCAA’s appeal became moot. However, his multiple transfers make the exact eligibility status for the 2026 season a subject of discussion.
What ethnicity is Diego Pavia?
What is his family background?
Pavia was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. No official source has stated his ethnicity. His family background has not been publicly detailed in any of the available reports. The pattern: personal background details are often omitted from coverage focused on his athletic performance and legal battles.
How much NIL money does Diego Pavia make?
What is NIL and how does it work?
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings are not publicly disclosed for individual players. Pavia’s NIL valuation is estimated by various sites, but no official figure exists. The catch: without a public valuation from a reliable source, any dollar amount is speculation.
Pavia’s NIL value was likely higher during his Heisman campaign, but the NFL waiver and uncertain eligibility create a unique situation. For players like Pavia, NIL money is directly tied to on-field visibility and NFL potential.
Timeline of Diego Pavia’s College and NFL Career
- 2020–2021: Played at New Mexico Military Institute (JUCO)(ESPN, sports network)
- 2022–2023: Played at New Mexico State(ESPN, sports network)
- 2024: Played at Vanderbilt, named Heisman Trophy finalist(ESPN, sports network)
- 2025 (spring): Went undrafted in NFL Draft(USA Today, national newspaper)
- 2025 (summer): Signed as undrafted free agent by Baltimore Ravens(Yahoo Sports, sports news)
- 2025 (summer): Waived by Ravens before training camp(ESPN, sports network)
What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birthdate: February 16, 2002(ESPN, sports network)
- College: Vanderbilt(ESPN, sports network)
- Draft status: Undrafted(USA Today, national newspaper)
- Signed with Ravens as UDFA(Yahoo Sports, sports news)
- Waived by Ravens(ESPN, sports network)
What’s unclear
- Eligibility for 2026 season
- NIL earnings
- Ethnicity
- Height (not officially confirmed in provided sources)
Quotes on Diego Pavia’s Career
The Ravens announced they have waived quarterback Diego Pavia.
Baltimore Ravens official statement, via ESPN (sports network)
Diego Pavia is a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Heisman Trophy committee, via ESPN (sports network)
Pavia’s path is a case study in the gap between college fame and NFL reality. For any quarterback who earns a Heisman nod but goes undrafted, the lesson is clear: NFL teams value measurable traits and draft capital over media hype. For the Ravens, the choice was between a developmental rookie and a proven veteran center—and they chose the latter. For Pavia, the road ahead is either a waiver claim, a free-agent tryout, or a run in another league.
espn.com, sports.yahoo.com, marca.com, nilrevolution.com, timesrepublican.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Diego Pavia’s actual height?
No official height has been confirmed in the provided sources. Height is often listed inconsistently across college and NFL profiles.
Who is Diego Pavia’s mother?
Her name has not been publicly reported in any of the available sources.
What contract did Diego Pavia sign with the Ravens?
As an undrafted free agent, he signed a standard rookie contract. The exact terms were not disclosed.
Did Diego Pavia play for Vanderbilt?
Yes, he played for Vanderbilt in the 2024 season and was named a Heisman finalist.
Has Diego Pavia played for the Detroit Lions?
No, there is no record of him playing for the Detroit Lions.
Will Diego Pavia make it to the NFL?
He was waived by the Ravens and is currently in the waiver system. His chances depend on being claimed or signing as a free agent.
Why did Diego Pavia not get drafted?
Scouts reportedly had concerns about his size and arm strength. He became the first Heisman finalist since 2014 to go undrafted.
Does Diego Pavia have eligibility for the 2026 season?
Yes, a federal appeals panel upheld his eligibility after the NCAA’s appeal was dismissed as moot.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Kelowna Daily, covering breaking stories and community news across the Okanagan.