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Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia put up a combined 4,401 yards both through the air and on the ground in the 2025 season. The runner-up for the Heisman Trophy scored almost 40 touchdowns combined. A 170-season rating average and almost 71% completions should have put him firmly in the top 100.
However, there are several factors working against Pavia. He was listed by Vanderbilt to be 6'0. While that is respectable, it is below the mark of what NFL teams look for. That was made into an even bigger concern when he measured 5'9" and 7/8" at the Senior Bowl. Excluding Kyler Murray's NFL Rookie of the Year season, there has not been a 'successful' NFL QB under 5-foot-10 since 2000.
Despite the size concern there is a skill set concern. What Pavia did at Vanderbilt can work in the college game, but has very little success at the NFL level. Too many big plays off the platform, relies too much on his legs, and he is not viewed as a QB that can stand and deliver from the pocket.
Then there's off the field antics. Pavia is making the same mistakes that Shedeur Sanders and others have made in recent memory. He's trying to speak a draft stock into existence 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 Pavia live updates and social media reactions
If Diego Pavia goes undrafted, he’ll be the first Heisman Trophy finalist to do so since 2014. https://t.co/oX2LstAjIO
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) April 25, 2026The setup for Diego Pavia’s draft party. We will see where the Vanderbilt QB goes. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/66iMsshgYC
— Julian Mininsohn (@JMininsohn) April 25, 2026Will Diego Pavia be the first Heisman finalist since 2014 to go undrafted? pic.twitter.com/7ozTtTC9jH
— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) April 25, 2026More: Will Diego Pavia be drafted today? A closer look at the chances for the Heisman runner-up
April 25
Will Diego Pavia be drafted today? A closer look at the Heisman runner-up who’s one of the biggest names on the board on Day 3. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/eJ4SLv9gmu
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2026- Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is here.
Diego Pavia is still available heading into Day 3 of the NFL Draft 👀
When will he hear his name called today? pic.twitter.com/a0ItBpO9Ni
April 24
- We've hit the end of Day 2 with Pavia still not off the board. 100 picks in and this isn't good news for the former Vandy QB
Offensive players still on the board after Round 3 include:
QB Garrett Nussmeier
QB Taylen Green
QB Cole Payton
QB Cade Klubnik
QB Jalon Daniels
QB Luke Altmyer
QB Haynes King
QB Behren Morton
QB Diego Pavia
RB Mike Washington Jr.
WR Deion Burks
WR Skyler Bell
WR Elijah Sarratt
When will Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia get drafted? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qHpBZ2rOom
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2026April 23
- Diego Pavia isn't a first-rounder in the NFL.
Diego Pavia went undrafted in the first round, leaving the New Mexico quarterback as the only Heisman nominee in this year’s NFL draft still waiting.https://t.co/n9bN39HJeH
— KOB 4 (@KOB4) April 25, 2026With Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson going at the top end of the first round, when will the next QB come off the board?
The big sports law question for the 2026 NFL Draft: When will Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia—who began what has become more than 70 eligibility lawsuits against the NCAA to extend their time as college athletes—be drafted?
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) April 24, 2026— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 20262026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
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