Diego Pavia Update Emerges After Ravens' Decision
Diego Pavia had a sensational season for the Vanderbilt Commodores during the 2025 college football season. Head coach Clark Lea arrived at Vanderbilt in 2021 after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He has since turned around the program, giving the Commodores faithful their first 10-win season in their 122-year history.
Quarterback Pavia was a large part of Vanderbilt's historic season. The senior was sensational, throwing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns. His athleticism was a major part of his game, running for 862 yards on 5.2 yards per carry to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Pavia was rewarded with an invitation as a finalist for the most prestigious individual award in college football, the Heisman Trophy. Other finalists included Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayan. Mendoza won the award with 2,362 points and 643 first-place votes. Pavia finished second with 1,435 points and 189 first-place votes.
Mendoza not only took home the Heisman Trophy that night, but he eventually led Indiana to its first national title in the 2026 CFP Playoff and was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Pavia was not selected in the draft. The Volcano Vista High School graduate became the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014.
On Monday, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter was on "The Pat McAfee Show," speaking with host Pat McAfee. The former Indianapolis Colts punter asked Schefter if there was anything they might have missed when wrapping up the conversation. Schefter jumped in and spoke about Pavia attending the Baltimore Ravens minicamp on a tryout basis. McAfee went to social media after the segment, posting the conversation.
"It's not what he wanted, but I think this is a great opportunity," McAfee wrote on X. "For Diego Pavia at the Baltimore Ravens minicamp. There are other teams that want to bring him in if the Ravens don't sign him," @AdamSchefter #PMSLive
"It's not what he wanted but I think this is a great opportunity for Diego Pavia at the Baltimore Ravens minicamp..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 27, 2026
There are other teams that wanna bring him in if the Ravens don't sign him" ~ @AdamSchefter#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/ALyyN9qyu0
"The Pat McAfee Show" airs weekdays on YouTube, ESPN and ESPN+ from noon to 3 p.m. ET.
Related: Baker Mayfield, Wife Emily Mayfield Announce Major Personal News
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM.